NUPENG declares Oshiomhole ‘persona non grata’, accuses him of betraying workers

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has branded former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as the “Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism,” declaring him persona non grata among oil and gas workers across the country.

In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, on Monday, the union accused Oshiomhole of betraying the ideals of the labour movement which he once championed.

According to NUPENG, the former labour leader has aligned himself with anti-worker policies that have inflicted untold hardship on Nigerians, particularly through his recent comments condemning the strike action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The union described Oshiomhole’s remarks as “a reprehensible assault on the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers and a gross distortion of established labour laws,” noting that they were unbecoming of a former NLC president who should be defending workers’ rights rather than “advocating for corporate oppression.”

“We witness with utter disappointment a former labour leader now transformed into a vocal advocate for corporate oppression, actively campaigning against the very rights he once championed,” the statement read.

“His attempts to rationalize the victimization of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are not only nauseating but represent a flagrant misrepresentation of Nigerian Labour Law and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.”

NUPENG further accused the senator of “betraying the cause of the downtrodden Nigerian workers,” describing his stance as “the prattle of an apostate, intoxicated by the opium of power and dollarized into betraying the cause of the working class.”

The union recalled that Oshiomhole, during a recent interview, admitted to not having full knowledge of the issues surrounding the PENGASSAN strike but still “brazenly chose to oppose the workers,” relying on unverified claims.

“At 73 years of age, the Senator, in the most undistinguished character, brazenly chose to oppose the workers, relying solely on unverified claims — a stance that is both reckless and deeply reprehensible,” NUPENG stated.

The union faulted Oshiomhole’s suggestion of a moratorium on unionization, describing it as “an absurd and archaic proposition” that has no basis in modern democratic labour practices.

“Contrary to the senator’s assertions, an employer has no right to interfere with an employee’s freedom of association; this right resides solely with the worker,” the statement continued.

“Nigerian labour laws explicitly protect a worker’s right not to belong to a union, requiring only a formal written notice of withdrawal.

“Therefore, neither the employer nor his apologists have any legitimate role in this process.”

NUPENG also expressed dismay that a man who once served on the Governing Council of the ILO and its Committee on Application of Standards could “demonstrate such monumental ignorance of trade unionism.”

“It is shocking that a man who once sat on the global stage defending workers’ rights now openly undermines them,” the union said.

“The unity displayed by PENGASSAN members, and the solidarity they continue to receive from other unions nationally and internationally, are the twin pillars upon which the labour movement stands.”

Consequently, NUPENG declared Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata within the ranks of oil and gas workers for what it described as his “undistinguished denunciation” of the PENGASSAN strike over the “unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers for exercising their right to unionism.”

“The practical effect of this declaration,” the statement added, “is that henceforth, NUPENG will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any event featuring Senator Oshiomhole. The NLC, TUC, and other progressive civil society organisations should take note.”

The union maintained that Oshiomhole’s comments amounted to “a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class and strengthen the class enemy.”

It reaffirmed its solidarity with PENGASSAN and the 800 dismissed workers, pledging to use every legal and industrial instrument available to secure justice.

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

“What a monumental betrayal of the working class cause! We advise Senator Oshiomhole to retire from commenting on labour matters, as he has irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers, particularly those in the oil and gas sector.”