Over 500 NMDPRA branch members of PENGASSAN have petitioned the federal government, accusing the union’s leadership of unconstitutional actions and undermining internal democracy.
Concerned members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have petitioned the registrar of trade unions at the ministry of labour and productivity over alleged misconduct by the association’s national leadership.
The petition specifically accuses Lumumba Okugbawa, general secretary of PENGASSAN, of violations alongside other executives.
The petitioners, who belong to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) branch, said unresolved issues around “conduct and violations” prompted their appeal for government intervention. They said efforts to engage the national leadership had been ignored.
“Numerous letters and correspondences have been met with utter disregard and non-responsiveness,” the petition stated, alleging “abuse of office” and “gross violation” of the union’s constitution.
The group, comprising more than 523 members, also accused the leadership of interfering in the branch’s electoral process by imposing a caretaker committee without due process.