You’ve forgotten your roots’: NUPENG rebukes Oshiomhole over anti-labour remarks

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly criticized Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and current lawmaker representing Edo North, for his recent comments about the disagreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Refinery, PM News can report.

Recall that last Friday, Oshiomhole appeared on Arise TV and faulted the strike action by PENGASSAN against the Dangote Refinery, which led to a nationwide shutdown of oil facilities.

He described the strike as hasty and unfair, saying that unions should defend workers’ rights without worsening the country’s economic situation.

In response, NUPENG leaders, Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, issued a statement expressing disappointment in Oshiomhole’s remarks.

They accused him of betraying the labour movement and defending corporate interests instead of workers’ rights.

“We are deeply disappointed to see a former labour leader now defending the same corporate oppression he once fought against,” the statement read. “His comments misrepresent both Nigerian labour laws and international labour standards.”

NUPENG argued that PENGASSAN’s action was legal, citing Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, which allows workers to go on strike in solidarity with others.

“The principle that an injury to one is an injury to all is the foundation of trade unionism,” they added.

This reaction followed Dangote Refinery’s public appreciation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others for helping to end the strike.

The refinery described itself as Nigeria’s biggest private employer and largest taxpayer.

PENGASSAN had gone on strike to protest the mass dismissal of Nigerian workers at Dangote Refinery.

The strike, which lasted two days, ended after the Federal Government intervened and both sides reached an agreement.