Oshiomhole is ‘Judas of Labour Movement’, says NUPENG
By DAYO ADESULU
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has sharply criticised former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President and current senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, for his comments on the ongoing industrial dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and Dangote Refinery management.
The oil workers’ union described Oshiomhole’s remarks as “a betrayal of the working class struggle” and accused him of siding with corporate interests over workers’ rights.
Oshiomhole Faults PENGASSAN Strike
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Oshiomhole faulted the PENGASSAN strike, which was declared to protest the alleged sack of over 800 workers at Dangote Refinery.
He described the industrial action as “hasty and unfair to other workers,” adding that it could endanger the jobs of thousands of others.
“I think that in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the jobs of several other workers,” Oshiomhole said.
“When you are pursuing a dispute, the tools you deploy must be such that they do not undermine other people’s jobs.”
His remarks, however, sparked outrage among labour stakeholders who accused the former NLC leader of abandoning the principles he once defended.
NUPENG Reacts: ‘A Betrayal of Workers’ Rights’
In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by NUPENG’s President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, the union condemned Oshiomhole’s position, describing it as “a complete distortion of Nigerian labour law.”
The statement, titled “Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole’s Undistinguished Anti-Worker Vitriol,” said:
“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.”
NUPENG accused the senator of “historical revisionism and political amnesia,” insisting that PENGASSAN’s strike was a legally protected industrial action in line with Nigerian law and international labour standards.
Legal Backing for the Strike
Citing Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, Cap T14, LFN 2004, the union said the law recognises industrial actions undertaken by workers in sympathy with another group.
“PENGASSAN’s solidarity action with their members in Dangote Refinery is therefore a protected legal action,” NUPENG explained.
“The principle that ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ is the foundational ethic of trade unionism globally.”
The union further accused Oshiomhole of “turning a blind eye to the mass sack of 800 engineers while choosing to criticise the strike action instead.”
‘Judas of Nigerian Trade Unionism’
NUPENG likened the former NLC president to “the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism,” claiming his current stance undermines workers’ unity and emboldens corporate impunity.
“His attempts to rationalise the victimisation of workers for exercising their fundamental rights of association and peaceful action are nauseating,” the statement continued.
“It is shocking that a man who once served in the Governing Council of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and in its Committee on Application of Standards could now promote anti-worker rhetoric.”
Oshiomhole Declared Persona Non Grata
In a rare move, NUPENG declared Senator Oshiomhole persona non grata within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
“Henceforth, we will not participate in or lend legitimacy to any labour event featuring Senator Oshiomhole,” the union announced.
“The NLC, TUC, and civil society organisations should take notice.”
The statement concluded by reaffirming solidarity with PENGASSAN, pledging to use every legal and industrial mechanism to secure justice for the affected workers.
“We remain committed to defending the rights of Nigerian oil and gas workers in compliance with Nigerian law and global labour standards,” NUPENG affirmed.
Labour Rift Deepens
The war of words marks a widening divide between current labour unions and former leaders now in government. Analysts say the confrontation could influence how future industrial disputes are handled, particularly in Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas sector.
With both PENGASSAN and NUPENG standing firm, the dispute with Dangote Refinery and the fallout with Senator Oshiomhole may reshape Nigeria’s labour movement for years to come.
Focus Key Phrase: NUPENG slams Oshiomhole over PENGASSAN-Dangote dispute
Hashtags: #NUPENG #PENGASSAN #DangoteRefinery #AdamsOshiomhole #LabourDispute #NigerianWorkers #OilAndGas #WorkersRights
