BREAKING: NUPENG declares Oshiomhole persona non grata over Dangote strike comment

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president and serving senator, Adams Oshiomhole, persona non grata over his recent remarks criticising the strike action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) against the Dangote Refinery.

NUPENG, in a strongly worded statement on Monday, accused Oshiomhole of “rationalising the victimisation of workers” and betraying the very cause he once championed as a labour leader.

The union’s leadership, in a joint statement signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, said Oshiomhole’s comments amounted to a “monumental betrayal” of the Nigerian working class.

“The leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of Nigerian oil and gas workers for his undistinguished denunciation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers,” the statement read.

NUPENG said the declaration means that Oshiomhole would no longer be recognised or allowed to participate in any of its activities, warning other labour and civil society organisations to take note.

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“Henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole. His insensitivity to the plight of the 800 dismissed workers and his resistance to unionism is a dangerous toxin meant to weaken the working class and empower its oppressors,” the union said.

Oshiomhole had, in an interview with Arise Television on Friday, described the PENGASSAN strike as “ill-considered”, arguing that the union’s approach could cripple new private-sector investors such as Dangote.

“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 there is a quarrel between one refinery and one union,” Oshiomhole said.

He added that early industrial action could destroy new investments before they stabilise.

“An employer has to exist and be strong enough to guarantee jobs. If you cripple a business before it finds its feet, you’re also destroying the jobs you claim to protect,” he argued.

Reacting to the senator’s remarks, NUPENG accused him of “standing with the oppressors” and betraying the labour movement’s values.

“The undistinguished position of Adams Oshiomhole on the PENGASSAN strike qualifies him as the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism,” NUPENG declared.

The union described his statements as “a monumental betrayal of the cause of the working class” and advised him to “retire from commenting on labour matters”, insisting he had “lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers.”

NUPENG reaffirmed its solidarity with PENGASSAN and the over 800 engineers allegedly dismissed by the Dangote Refinery for union-related activities.

“We stand unwaveringly with PENGASSAN and the 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,” it said.

The union urged the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups to remain vigilant and united in protecting workers’ rights from corporate intimidation and political interference.

The dispute between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery began after the union accused the company of sacking 800 engineers for unionising. The industrial action was suspended last Wednesday following government intervention.

Oshiomhole’s remarks defending the refinery drew sharp criticism from several labour leaders, who said the senator’s stance was inconsistent with his legacy as a former NLC president known for confronting anti-labour policies.