The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, persona non grata over his recent comments on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) strike.
Naijaonpoint reports that NUPENG accused the former labour leader of betraying workers by “rationalising victimisation” against over 800 engineers allegedly dismissed from the Dangote Refinery.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Oshiomhole had described the PENGASSAN strike, which was suspended last Wednesday, as “ill-considered.”
He argued that new investors, such as Dangote, should be allowed time to stabilise before facing intense labour action.
The former governor of Edo State said, “In pursuing war, you have to recognise that the tools you deploy must not hurt innocent people, like tomato sellers who cannot get fuel to move their goods because of a quarrel between one refinery and one union.
“An employer has to exist, mature and be strong enough to guarantee good-paying jobs. If you cripple a business before it even finds its feet, you are also destroying the jobs you claim to protect.”
However, in a statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, NUPENG stated that Oshiomhole would henceforth be excluded from all oil and gas labour activities.
He said, “The leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole PERSONA NON GRATA within the ranks of Nigerian Oil and Gas Workers for the Undistinguished denunciation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 Engineers as punishment for exercising the fundamental right of unionism.
“The practical effect of our declaring Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of oil and gas workers in Nigeria is that henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole.
“The NLC, TUC and conscionable civil society organisations should kindly take notice. Oshiomhole’s denunciation and insensitivity to the plight of 800 Engineers and resistance to unionism in the Petroleum and gas sector is a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class and strengthen the class enemy.
“NUPENG stands unwaveringly with PENGASSAN and the over 800 unjustly dismissed workers. We will continue to deploy every legal and industrial instrument available to us, in full compliance with Nigerian law and global labour standards, to secure justice.
“The Undistinguished position of Adams Oshiomhole on the PENGASSAN strike qualifies him as the JUDAS ISCARIOT of Nigerian Trade Unionism.
“What a monumental betrayal of the cause of the working class! We advise Senator Adams Oshiomhole to retire from commenting on labour matters, as he has irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers, and particularly oil and gas workers.”
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