The leadership crisis within the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has taken a new twist just as leaders of the Port Harcourt Zone of the union unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on the President and the General Secretary of the union.
The zonal leaders in an emergency meeting which took place in Port Harcourt on Friday, July 25, 2025, accused Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha (President) and Comrade Afolabi Olawale (General Secretary) of abuse of office, manipulation, ‘ethnic cleansing’, threat to life, and gross violation of the union’s constitution and extant rules.
Their decision stemmed from the outcome of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union which was held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, July 24 and chaired by the President of the Union. Others in attendance at the NEC meeting were the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, Deputy President, Solomon Kilanko, the National Trustee, Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti, etc.
Meanwhile, a statement made available to the media on Friday by the union leaders in the Zone indicated that, the dissatisfied unionists have informed law enforcement agencies in the country, including Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to hold the President and the General Secretary of NUPENG responsible should any harm happen to all the executives in the Zone as well as the National Treasurer of NUPENG, Comrade Alex Agwanwor.
The statement added that the purported suspension of Mina Samuel, Alex Agwanwor and others by the overzealous national leadership should be disregarded. The statement noted that the union is guided by law and order and not by just two individuals who have a history of treachery, high-handedness and manipulation.
The Zonal leaders described the zone’s position as a liberation struggle, stressing that they are law-abiding persons who have prepared for all the consequences their cause of action for the liberation of the Zone will bring for the entire union in Nigeria.
In continuation, the statement said the Zone has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Comrade Mina Samuel and the entire executives to continue to pilot the affairs of Port Harcourt Zone pending the time substantive zonal council election would be conducted by the registrar of Trade Union of Nigeria or his/her appointee alongside with Ministry of Labour in Port Harcourt.
The Zone in its firm decision also informed all industry stakeholders not to recognize Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha as NUPENG President and he should stop representing the interest of Port Harcourt Zone with immediate effect.
The leaders also called on the Registrar of Trade Union of Nigeria to immediately appoint a NATIONAL ADMINISTRATOR to take over the affairs of NUPENG at the national level, pending the conduct of a National election which is expected to be conducted by the appointee of the registrar in 2026.
The Zonal council has equally suspended Comrade Kingsley Ezenwa, Bestman Ikechukwu Friday, Alexandar Stephen Akande for their involvement in anti-union activities and continued violation of NUPENG’s constitution, adding that they should no longer function or get involved in any branch negotiation or Trade Union activities within Port Harcourt Zone in the interest of peace and unity of the Union.
They further advised all Managements in the Oil and Gas industry who are based in Port Harcourt Zone to desist from according any recognition to the aforementioned names, for peace to reign.
The statement reads in parts, “The entire Zone is here to say no to violation of the union constitution, abuse of office, continuous oppression and dehumanizing of members by a few leaders who have destroyed the integrity of the Union through agents of darkness led by William Akporeha and the Afolabi Olawale.
“Therefore the Zone has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Comrade Mina Samuel and the entire executive to continue to pilot the affaires of the Port Harcourt Zone pending a substantive zonal council election which shall be conducted by the registrar of trade Union of Nigeria or his/her appointee in conjunction with Ministry of Labour Port Harcourt.
“Similarly, the Zone unanimously passed a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE on Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale for abuse of office and total disregard for the constitution of NUPENG.
“This resolution is in accordance with the Rule 14 (xvi)(a-b) (xvii) of the Union constitution. The President has violated the constitution following the section that bothers on dissolution which was clearly stated in RULE 31 of the 2021 constitution of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers as (NUPENG) as amended. The constitution state Inter alia
“Notwithstanding any resolution taken at the branch executive committee, zonal or National Executive council, the Union shall continue in existence until a resolution is adopted by 2/3 majority of all members of each branch from not less than 2/3 of the total number of branches of the union obtained through the secret ballot. Rule 31(iii) Dissolution of any National, Zonal and Unit Executives shall be by 2/3 of the total members.
“Therefore the entire Port Harcourt Zonal Council has met the constitutional requirement and came to the conclusion that the President and the General Secretary (Prince William Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale) having violated the constitution and their continuous abuse of office aimed at enabling ethnic cleansing targeted at removing all Rivers State indigenes who make up the majority at the Port Harcourt zone.
“As a result of numerous constitutional infractions, Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha is no longer worthy to sit as NUPENG President and should henceforth not be accorded any recognition or stand to represent the interest of Port Harcourt Zone. Therefore any letter written by these individuals as far as Port Harcourt Zone is concerned should not be given any attention or recognition henceforth as they no longer serve the interest of the Zone.
“It’s in the light of this resolution the Port Harcourt Zonal council of Nupeng is calling on the Registrar Trade Union to Immediate appoint a NATIONAL ADMINISTRATOR to take over affairs of NUPENG at the national level pending the conduct of a National election which shall be conducted by the appointee of the registrar.
“The entire Port Harcourt Zonal Council also passed a vote of confidence on comrade ALEX AGWANOR as the substantive elected National Treasurer, duly nominated and elected to represent Port Harcourt zone at the National level. Therefore any attempt to intimidate or suspend him without following the 2/3rd majority of all the members as stipulated in the constitution will be resisted forthwith. Comrade Alex Agwanwor shall continue to function in his capacity as the National Treasurer of the Union and be allowed to contest the National election in exercise of his fundamental right as a full member of the Union qualified by all standards to run for any position of his choice.
“The Zonal council in-session also suspended Comrade Kingsley Ezenwa, Bestman Ikechukwu Friday, Alexandar Stephen Akande for anti-union activities and continued violation of the NUPENG’s constitution and henceforth they should not function or get involve in any branch negotiation or Trade Union activities within Port Harcourt Zone in the interest of peace and unity of the Union.
“The Zonal council in-session further call on all Management in the Oil and Gas within the Port Harcourt Zone to desist henceforth from according any recognition to the aforementioned names, for peace to be accordingly restored.
“The Port Harcourt Zonal council thereby calls on the security agencies such as the Police, DSS and other security agencies within the zone to please uphold the rule of law and protection of the right and safety of all Nigerian workers within the Oil and Gas Port Harcourt Zone. The law enforcement agencies should be informed that Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale openly threatened to kill Comrade Alex Awanwor and Mina Samuel.
“The President and the General Secretary have also directed Comrade Bestman Ikechukwu Friday and Kingeley Ezenwa to make sure they spill the blood of innocent workers who they sworn to protect and should anything happen within the zone they should be held responsible. Therefore any attempt to violate the right of any member of NUPENG, intimidate, harass any Union members will be resisted which we pray should not lead to breakdown of laws and order within the state.
“The aforementioned names will continue to function under the leadership of Comrade Mina Samuel with his council members will continue to administer and function as democratically elected zonal leadership pending the conduct of a zonal election within the constitutional provision as law abiding citizens.”