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AREW VOICE, Abuja (2026)

06/02/2025

𝗔 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗢𝗡. 𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗔 𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗔, 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬.

𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗘 𝟭

It is with great concern that I write to address the ineffective representation of Kantana Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly by Hon. Bala Noma. Since his election in 2019 to date, he has failed to fulfill his responsibilities and has shown no capacity to represent the interests of his constituents.

Over the past five years, Hon. Bala Noma has not once stood before the House of Assembly to propose or advocate for initiatives that would benefit the people of Kantana Constituency. His silence and inactivity are deeply disappointing. Are we to continue allowing such inadequate leadership to represent us?

More troubling is his failure to address critical issues affecting our constituency. Despite the alarming rise in cases of kidnapping and banditry in Kantana constituency, Hon. Bala Noma has remained silent, offering no solutions or even raising the issue in the House of Assembly. This is unacceptable and a disservice to the people who elected him.

We can no longer sit back and tolerate this neglect. As concerned citizens, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the necessary guidelines to initiate the recall process. Hon. Bala Noma’s incapacity to lead us effectively has made it clear that we need a representative who will actively fight for the development and security of Kantana Constituency.

This is a call to action for all constituents. Let us come together to demand better leadership for our constituency.

𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗜𝘀'𝗵𝗮𝗾 𝗧𝘂𝗸𝘂𝗿,𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗱,
𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

15/05/2024

*Rejoinder: ‘No Conflict Of Interest’ Serving As PTD Deputy Chair & As Govt Appointee, My Service In Union Exemplary- Comrade Dayyabu Garga Replies Critics*

The Deputy National Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade Dayyabu Garga, has stated that he did not break any law by combining his duties as a cabinet member under former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Lalong (CON) with being an executive of the oil workers.

Garga said this in response to a social media tirade which he described not to be grounded in logic and being peddled by some sponsored and misguided elements "deluged on their delusional grandeur" adding that only fickle-minded lunatic minds will say running the two assignments simultaneously amounted to conflict of interest.

Garga said:

“The bye law of PTD was not in anyway contravened, neither was the constitution of NUPENG desecrated. So, strictly speaking, no law is being violated here and I remain grateful to Senator Simon Lalong for giving me the opportunity to serve the people of Plateau State during his tenure in office as Governor. It was indeed a privilege for me to be called upon to serve my fatherland and I discharged my duties effectively and efficiently at record time.

“I have no regrets serving my State and PTD Branch of NUPENG simultaneously. There is no cause for any regret. I thank the Almighty Allah that he gave me that opportunity to serve on both sides without blemish. Similarly, it is worthy of note that I paid my dues and made many sacrifices in the interest of PTD-NUPENG, so my elevation to the position of Deputy National Chairman of PTD didn't come by accident, it was a consequence for dedication, thoroughness, discipline, transparency and competence. I make bold to say my present position was attained based on merit.

“Therefore, the position of my critics in factional PTD was not grounded in logic, these sponsored and misguided elements are simply deluged on their delusional grandeur. It is also very clear that only fickle-minded lunatic minds will say running the two assignments simultaneously amounted to conflict of interest.

"The jaundiced views of these critics are untenable, ill-informed and consequently rejected. They are jittery and jealous about my rising profile which I have no apologies for, they are also not comfortable about my stout defence for PTD which I have been championing with other Comrades of integrity who meant well for the Union. These individuals also feel intimidated by my resolve for putting up unblemished projection for our great union and giving Tanker Drivers their place of pride by every standard. Without meaning to demean the critics, they are people fully aligned to opposition PTD and as well disguising as trade unionists.

"For the purpose of clarity, the purported election held in Ibadan last year and conducted by the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale and others was a total nullity in the eye of the law and all the parties concerned are aware of this fact. Likewise, Comrade Lucky Osesua remains the National Chairman of PTD and that is the position of the law, the National Industrial Court was very clear about this. The pay masters of these delusional critics should also let them know that all those who contravened the Court orders are currently facing contempt charges and the consequences are very grief.

"I must further state unequivocally for the umpteenth time and tell these critics that by engaging in forum shopping, blackmail, contempt of Court and using sentiments to foist their illegal leadership on the Federal Government, Tanker Drivers and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry is an effort in futility which cannot stand test of time. The Osesua’s PTD leadership, which emerged at the Delegates Conference in Abuja, which is also the venue prescribed by the Union’s convention remains valid and legal. Therefore the illegal leadership in Ibadan which came on board after kangaroo election could not avail itself legitimacy by serially violating the sanctity of the legal provisions."

15/03/2024

Court Restrains NUPENG From Conducting Port Harcourt Refinery Unit Election, Tells Parties To Maintain Status Quo

Justice O.Y. Anuwe of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has restrained Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) from conducting its planned Unit election for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers at the Port Harcourt Refinery which it earlier scheduled to hold on Friday, March 15, 2024.

The NICN ruling on Wednesday, March 13, came as a reaction to a suit instituted by the National executives of PTD, including its deputy Chairman, Comrade Dayyabu Garga, Comrade Godwin Dele Nwaka, Comrade Peter Muodebelu Chukwudi, Comrade Gambo Tuge, Comrade Walter Ogbeni, Sylvanus Idanwekhai and other executives of the union against Afolabi Olawale and NUPENG standing as defendants.

The Court also warned that all parties must give peace a chance and not preempt then final outcome of the matter.

It further added that the motion on notice should be immediately served on the defendants, stressing that its been set-down for hearing on the 19th day of March 2024.

Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Anuwe held that:

"I have ruled heard the learned counsel on a motion ex parte, wherein he seeks thr otfrt of Coirt restraining the defendants from conducting elections into various offices of NUPENG PTD Branch on the 15th day of March 2024 amongst other prayers as listed on the face of the motion paper.

"I have read the supporting affidavit, the affidavit of urgency and indeed the written address of counsel. At this point, 3 sisters suits pend before me:
NICN/ABJ/290/2023
NICN/ABJ/312/2023
NICN/ABJ/305/2023

"While one of them has been adjourned for judgment, one of them has been adjourned to 19th March 2004 for hearing, while the last one has just been reassigned to me. All these matters are interrelated, and this pending motion is closely intertwined with the very substance of the pending suits. It is for the above reasons that I will make the following orders. It is ordered as follows:

"1. Parties are ordered to maintain status quo ante bellum as at 19th February 2024 when thensuitnno NICN/ABJ/312/2023 was heard and adjourned for judgment, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on Notice already filed along with this Motion Ex-parte
"2. Parties are ordered not to carry out any act that will appear to pre-empt the decision of this court or appear to place this court in a position of hopelessness or helplessness.
"3. The motion on notice should be immediately served on the defendants, and it is hereby set-down for hearing on the 19th day of March 2024.
"4. The order of this court hereby made shall immediately be served on parties and their counsel who are expected to maintain law and order and peace amongst the parties.
"5. This is the ruling of the Court
"6. The case, which was earlier adjourned to 19th March 2024 remains adjourned to that date, for hearing of the Motion on notice."

See full details of the Court ruling below:

12/12/2023

*PTD National Chair, Osesua, Accuses NUPENG Of Coercing Members To Pledge Loyalty To An Illegal Faction*

The National Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG, Comrade Lucky Osesua and his Deputy, Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga on behalf of their executives and members have again accused their parent body of coercing and luring members into signing an undertaking to pledge loyalty to an illegitimate faction of the Branch.

According to PTD, the illegal faction of the Branch is under Augustine Egbon, which is brazenly backed by the President and General Secretary of the union despite the interventions of the Courts of competent jurisdiction.

Osesua also emphasized that the actions and inactions of NUPENG leadership, particularly that of the President, Williams Akporeha, the General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale and the Trustee, Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti was a total affront to the rule of law and the extant rules of the Union.

PTD however demanded that the intimidation, harassment, humiliation, emotional attacks on their members must stop forthwith, while it also urged the Presidency, Ministry of Labour and Employment, elders of the union, Police, NLC, and other key stakeholders in the industry as well as intelligence, investigative and security agencies in the country to come to their aid and deliver the union before it slides into an irredeemable implosion.

These concerns were captured in a statement, on Wednesday, jointly signed by Comrades Lucky Osesua, the National Chairman of PTD and Humble Obinna Power, National Secretary.

The statement reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to a fresh anti-labour activity being carried out by NUPENG leadership to further subject our members into slavery and servitude against their wishes. It was such an appalling, callous and very heart-rending approach to industrial relations practice at this age and time, that President of NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha, the General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale and the Trustee, Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti would form an unholy alliance to use coercive force, intimidation, harassment, victimization and emotional attack on our members at the Units and Zonal levels by luring them into signing an undertaking with the header “LOYALTY CLEARANCE” that suggested ''unalloyed loyalty'' to a leadership that lacks legitimacy under Augustine Egbon.

“This oppressive style of leadership is alien to our union and we urge the government and the public to take note of this flagrant abuse of power. A union which had time without number accused management of different oil and gas companies in the country of stopping their members from being unionized is the same union that is foisting on its members a demand to build support and loyalty for a leadership that was illegally constituted and forcing members to comply or face forceful exit from the union.

“The psychological and emotional trauma currently being experienced by our members is totally unbearable for them, and this is unfortunately making them to feel less human and completely depressed.

“We wish to emphasise here, that this lack of respect and sensitivity to Nigeria's extant labour laws, international conventions and global best practices is gradually becoming the stock in trade for NUPENG as there are still several other lingering infractions and issues against hapless Tanker Drivers yet to be addressed by the leadership of NUPENG, even after courts and elders of our unions had severally intervened in these matters.”

“We therefore use this medium to demand that the intimidation, harassment, humiliation, physical and emotional attacks on our members must stop, and the signing of the form described as “LOYALTY CLEARANCE” must also stop forthwith, while also urging the Presidency, Ministry of Labour and Employment, elders of the union, Police, NLC, NSCDC, ICPC, EFCC, National Assembly and other key stakeholders to come to our aid and deliver the union from sliding into an implosion that can ruin the socio-economic fabric of the country and as well sever industrial harmony.

“The struggle continues, our solidarity remains constant, and victory is assured by God's grace.

SIGNED:

Comrade Lucky Osesua
(National Chairman)

Comrade Humble Obinna Power (National Secretary).”

06/12/2023

*"You can't take the credit; I initiated the Health Insurance Scheme for drivers," PTD Chair Osesua tells Afolabi, NUPENG scribe*

The National Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG, Comrade Lucky Osesua, has cautioned drivers across the 4 zones of the union not to be taken in by the gambit of the General Secretary of NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale the reintroduction and launch of the health insurance scheme.

Osesua said that he was the brain behind the programme, which he had earlier introduced to the workers as the Branch Chairman.

Pointedly, Osesua, on behalf of the Branch, urged PTD members to critically assess the current situations instead of falling for Afolabi's rhetoric in the mainstream and social media.

He said they should make up their minds and take informed decisions about their welfare, health, life, wellbeing and livelihoods and never allow anyone to negatively alter their destinies by flaunting a caricature of the original idea and/or programme

Osesua in a widely circulated press release signed by him and the National Secretary, Comrade Humble Obinna Power, said the scheme under his leadership sought to address the welfare, well-being, life and livelihoods of all members of the Branch who traverse the length and breadth of the country behind the wheels.

He however expressed regrets that the scheme was now shrouded in secrecy, adding that signatories had been changed and there was no more transparency with accountability in it, contrary to the initial scheme, which was in the best interest of the union.

“The attention of the National leadership of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has been drawn to the offer of the General Secretary of the Union, Afolabi Olawale and the President, Williams Akporeha to launch and reintroduce an existing health insurance scheme which was introduced by me earlier in my tenure, but unfortunately the duo have deliberately manipulated the health insurance scheme, making it so obnoxious for our members to key into, due to the regime of multiple taxes, levies and rates being introduced at various depots and loading stations.

“Putting the record straight properly, my good self and my deputy, Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga alongside the entire executives introduced the health insurance scheme for our drivers to have a new lease of life and access to quality and affordable health care in any part of the country once they tender their automated cards which contain their biometrics.

"Afolabi Olawale cannot try to take the credit as though the initiative was his brainchild. What they are doing currently lacks acceptability, consultation, education or due process, but they are only using coercive force to lure our members into it, which is against the good intent of the health insurance scheme.

“Our reaction underscores the lack of attraction in the NUPENG programmes and policies which ostensibly lack direction, sincerity and purpose as it is being orchestrated by the current leadership under Afolabi Olawale (General Secretary) and Williams Akporeha (President) which is an admittance of their usual disaster in what they tagged “Health Insurance for Petroleum Tanker Drivers on the Wheel."

“We therefore urge our members to take informed decisions about their welfare, health, life, wellbeing, and livelihoods and never allow anyone to negatively alter their destinies through dubious and questionable scheme.

“My good self, my deputy Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga and the entire constitutionally-recognised and legitimate national executives of PTD Branch of NUPENG are aware that National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is one of the health financing options adopted by Nigeria for improved healthcare access especially to the low income earners.

"One of the key operators of the scheme is the health care providers. Thus, their uptake of the scheme is fundamental to the survival of the scheme. But laughable enough, Afolabi, as usual, was attempting to take credit for it while also trying to reinvent the wheel. This is most ridiculous and unthinkable.

“However, we have gathered hard facts from impeccable sources that Afolabi who is now driving the process only redesigned it to further impoverish our members because the intention is reactionary and also serve as a Greek gift to hoodwink our members, but little did he know that our members have made up their minds not to fall for his anti union antics and extortionist tendencies.

“It is therefore imperative for us to state clearly that the scheme which is set to kick off on Thursday, December 14, 2023 was only hurriedly reintroduced to launder Afolabi's already battered image and to seek empathy from our members as he craves for recognition, acceptance and legitimacy.

"For those who know Afolabi, he is such an individual who doesn't have history of making people happy but to inflict hardship and pains on them for selfish and greedy intents.

“We are still surprised why General Secretary of our parent union will be among signatories to PTD's bank accounts especially the one for the health insurance scheme and others. This is the first time this will be happening; it is alien to our guidelines and extant rules, and moreso, there are hundreds of other branches both in formal and informal sectors; why is he investing so much passion and interest to PTD alone?”

"In the light of the above we passionately appeal to all our members to remain steadfast and law abiding by showing solidarity with us as we continue in the struggle to restore decency, sanity, constitutional democratic process and rule of law; and more importantly to bring back dignity to our labour in order to revive our socio-economic fortunes as well as freedom and pride. Thank you all, and God bless.

SIGNED:

Comrade Lucky Osesua
(National Chairman)

Comrade Humble Obinna Power (National Secretary).”

04/12/2023

*"Law doesn't recognize sentiments or emotions', PTD replies NUPENG, says Lucky Osesua is authentic National Chairman*

The National Executives of Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG under the control of Comrade Lucky Osesua has taken a swipe at the parent body for engaging in forum shopping, blackmail, contempt of Court and using sentiments to foist their illegal leadership on the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry as a fait accompli.

The Osesua leadsrship, which emerged at the election in Abuja, which is the venue prescribed by the Union's bye law, said the illegal leadership that emerged from a Kangaroo election in Ibadan was desperate to force stakeholders into accepting it.

It said that the illegal leadership could not avail itself legitimacy by serially violating the sanctity of the Branch's byelaw and other legal methods of conducting Delegates Conference.

According to PTD in a press statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Comrade Lucky Osesua and its National Secretary, Comrade Humble Obinna Power, on behalf of the entire Branch on Sunday, affirmed that the election which purportedly produced Augustine Egbon as the Chairman lacked legitimacy ab-initio.

PTD however appealed to the Federal Government especially president Bola Tinubu (GCFR), the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong and other key players in the industry not to seek legitimacy for National executives of PTD elsewhere except the one by Comrade Lucky Osesua and Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga.

The statement reads in full:

The National executives of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG has condemned the pitiful posture of our parent union which has been solely hijacked by the General Secretary Afolabi Olawale by engaging in forum shopping, blackmail, contempt of Court and using sentiments to foist on Federal Government and other stakeholders in the oil and gas industry the purported legitimacy of the lesdership.

The union now totters and wobbles as it screeches towards a dangerous and avoidable canyon of dry bones, as its staff members and branch members can no longer recognise their union which has been battered by men and women from the dark womb of time, unfortunately it is not clear if there could be any glimmer of hope to reclaim it from its impending slide to anarchy and total collapse under the current leadership of Williams Akporeha (President), Afolabi Olawale and the Otunba Salimon Akanni Oladiti (National Trustee).

This ugly episode started when the power-drunk General Secretary of NUPENG, Mr Afolabi Olawale tried to manipulate and circumvent the bye-law of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG by holding Delegates Conference in Ibadan Oyo State contrary to the provisions of the bye-law which clearly gave Abuja as a legally recognized venue for the election.

Yet in flagrant defiance to Court order, they went ahead and held an illegal Conference despite the Court injunction, which barred them from doing so.

Consequently many protests were staged across the Zones of the union including the National Secretariat in Jibowu Lagos, but NUPENG brazenly turned deaf ears, this is totally unacceptable and truly showed the leadership don't mean well for the union and its members especially the PTD Branch.

However, some of us who are law abiding and truly mean well for one-time Trade Union which was built and nurtured by Chief (Comrade) Frank Ovie Kokori with the objective to protect the interest and foster better working conditions for the blue collar employees in the Nigeria's oil and gas sector converged at Abuja on Tuesday, 31st day October, 2023 had our own election which brought Comrade Lucky Osesua on board as the National Chairman and Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga emerging as Deputy National Chairman respectively.

Please for the purpose of clarity, Augustine Egbon is not and can never be the National Chairman of PTD and that is what the law says, Afolabi, Williams and Oladiti know this fact but they only want to circumvent the law and as well take pleasure in stirring up a hornets' nest and to destroy the union, but the truth is that they cannot be bigger than the Court of the land neither do they have the powers to bring down the union to satisfy their thirst for avarice, contempt and unholy plot best known to them.

The stake in PTD, particularly access to administrative, operational and economic incentives and other opportunities cannot be left in the hands of stooges who want to steal blindly the common patrimony of PTD under the whimps and caprice of Afolabi who has personally pocketed the entire union.

Above all, PTD is already awake and cannot continue to allow its employees to remain its tormentors and exploiters. The trio of Comrades Akporeha, Afolabi and Oladiti should be called to order before they set the union on the verge of Precipice.

We therefore appeal to our listening and labour-friendly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and the Labour Minister, to, in the interest of peace and industrial harmony intervene in this very disturbing and ridiculous situation by recognizing the legitimacy of PTD National Executives under the leadership of Comrade Lucky Osesua and his Deputy Comrade Dayyabu Yusuf Garga.

Government and other industry stakeholders should relate with us as the only legitimate, constitutionally recognised executives of the PTD Branch of NUPENG.

Once again PTD must be allowed to breathe such that its members could peacefully and conveniently be proud and better for what they are doing as they continue to traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria through distribution and transportation of Petroleum products and supply of gas to Nigerians in their homes, offices and factories.

SIGNED:

Comrade Lucky Osesua
(National Chairman)

Comrade Humble Obinna Power (National Secretary)

AREW VOICE

06/02/2025

15/05/2024

15/03/2024

12/12/2023

06/12/2023

04/12/2023

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