Dear Comrade Festus Osifo,
It is with great concern, deep disappointment, and an unshakable sense of duty to over 523 members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Branch, that we write to call the attention of the National Leadership of our great union to the continued assault on principles, transparency, and constitutional order within our Union—which has clearly infringed on the right of members to have a union that respects members’ viewpoints on those who will stand as their elected representatives.
We know our great union stands for justice and fairness to all members. But the recent imposition of an illegal Caretaker Committee (CTC) on our Branch without due process, consultation, or respect for the PENGASSAN Constitution is not just a disregard for our collective intelligence—it is a blatant subversion of the laws and values upon which PENGASSAN was built. As we know, the vision of our great union is to be the most influential trade union by providing excellent services to its members, building strong relationships with social partners and stakeholders, and positively influencing national decisions.
As a reminder, Comrade President, our Branch’s 3-year PENGASSAN tenure expired on May 27, 2025. In line with our constitutional provisions and best practices, a Branch Congress was duly convened on June 14, 2025, where a valid Electoral Committee (ELECO) was constituted to oversee elections. However, rather than supporting this transparent process, national leadership chose to unilaterally and undemocratically impose a Caretaker Committee chaired by your known associate, Comrade Tony Iziogba—a man with no mandate from the Branch Congress and no legitimacy under our Constitution.
“Your siding with illegal actions are in gross violation of the PENGASSAN constitutional provisions of : Rule 20.1 states clearly that elected officers hold office for a term of three years. Nowhere in this rule is it provided that a Caretaker Committee shall take over automatically after tenure expiration. Rule 31.4 provides that a Caretaker Committee may only be constituted after the dissolution of a BECOM through disciplinary procedures—not simply due to tenure expiration. Rule 32.7 mandates that an Ethical Practices, Grievance and Disciplinary Committee (EGDC) at the Branch level must consist of two elected BECOM members and three nominated members, chaired by the Branch IRO. None of these conditions were met in your Caretaker Committee setup.”
Schedules 3.3 and 3.5 clearly outline the process for resolving Branch disputes through the CWC and NEC—not by unilateral directives or external imposition. Rule 3.7, which speaks of inspiring discipline and professionalism, has been repeatedly ignored in this ongoing crisis.”
The issue we raise to the leadership of the Union is the even more troubling fact that a disciplinary letter was issued to comrades who dared to question the legitimacy of this illegal process—a direct attempt to silence dissent and criminalize free expression within a union that should be a bastion of democracy. This is not the first time our Branch has faced anti-democratic practices. When the NMDPRA Branch was first formed three years ago, it began not with an election but with an imposed caretaker committee. That committee handpicked successors without consulting members. Now, history is repeating itself. Comrade Ayo was imposed then. Now, Comrade Tony is being imposed again.
We concerned that members will not succumb to any intimidation or to recycling the same faces, ideas, and loyalties while ignoring the democratic rights of over 523 unionized staff. We are not asking for much. We simply demand what is just, constitutional, and democratic.
We, the concerned members, demand the reinstatement of the ELECO constituted at the June 14 Congress. We call for a hybrid Branch election that allows inclusive participation—especially for members across Nigeria who have never had a voice in the leadership of the Branch.
We, the concerned members, urge respect for the provisions of the 2022 PENGASSAN Constitution. End all harassment, intimidation, and victimization of members who speak out. Stop using national offices to reward loyalty and suppress dissent. And, most urgently, allow the will of the people—the 2/3 majority of Congress—to determine their own leadership.
We, the Concerned Members of PENGASSAN, know the Union is not your personal property, Comrade President. The Constitution is not subject to your discretion. And the voice of the Congress cannot be replaced by political convenience or backroom arrangements. In a nation grappling with democratic challenges, we had hoped our Union would set the example. Sadly, under your leadership, it is instead mimicking the worst of political suppression, godfatherism, and impunity.
The time for appeasement has passed. The time for silence has ended. The time for constitutional order, justice, and democracy is now. We will not relent. We will not be silenced. And we will never allow our Union to descend into a dictatorship of convenience.
In solidarity with hope for a better PENGASSAN, we stand for an end to dictatorship perpetrated by National leadership. Let’s NMDPRA Breathe.”