Two Years of Crisis: PTD Elders Condemn NUPENG Leadership Over 'Ghost Chairman, Fraudulent Elections, and ₦1 Billion Expenditure Saga

The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is marking the two-year anniversary of its internal crisis with a strong condemnation of the NUPENG national leadership, accusing them of high-handedness, financial recklessness, electoral manipulation, and allowing the installation of an "imposter" National Chairman. 

In a press statement issued by the aggrieved PTD critical stakeholders, known as the "Concerned Elders League," following a closed-door meeting in Lagos on Friday, October 31, 2025, they blamed NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Afolabi Olawale for the protracted crisis that has "destroyed the Union's operations and administration."

The Concerned Elders League, represented by Comrades Kolapo Muse-Showunmi, Khalid Adamu, Christopher Owheyre, and Kingsley Amadi, maintained that the only valid and legitimate National Chairman is Comrade Lucky Osesua, who was elected in two separate Special Delegates Conferences held in Abuja on October 31, 2023, and July 3, 2024.

The statement highlighted the chaos, noting that the Union has conducted three Delegates Conferences in three years, none of which have brought peace due to alleged "infractions like discrimination, contempt of Court, [and] electoral process manipulation."

The 'Ghost' Chairman: The group claimed that the NUPENG-backed National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, is an "imposter" who has effectively disappeared from Union activities, rendering the Branch under "auto pilot." They noted: "Up till today no one can account for the whereabouts of the imposter, he has not been attending meetings and he has not been responding to correspondences."

The stakeholders strongly criticized the alleged financial indiscretion and lack of transparency within the Union, especially given the prolonged internal strife:

The group also expressed shock over the alleged demand by the Lagos Zonal Chairman of PTD, Saheed Gbolahan Adigun, for a refund of almost ₦1 billion. The Elders League questioned the source and purpose of the funds, demanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigatethe matter immediately. 

 They also lambasted the NUPENG leadership for "wasteful spending" over the welfare of members, citing the commissioning of an expensive multi-storey tower in December despite having a small administrative staff.

 The PTD reiterated its lapsed 14-day ultimatum (issued October 1, 2025) demanding that the NUPENG President, General Secretary, and their surrogates refund all illegal dues and levies collected from truck drivers at the MRS depot and Dangote Refinery, confirming they have now advised their legal counsels, including three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, to serve litigation notice.

The PTD warned that the persistent crisis, marked by police harassment, court cases, and failed reconciliation attempts, is a "big shame" that has caused "reputational and monumental damage" to NUPENG, stressing that the PTD remains "the goose that lays the golden eggs."