After Dangote Face-Off, PENGASSAN Faces Internal Crisis as Members Accuse Festus Osifo of Undemocratic Leadership

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is facing a fresh wave of internal crisis as members accuse its national president, Festus Osifo, of undemocratic conduct and constitutional violations. The development comes just weeks after the union’s public confrontation with the Dangote Group over labour practices at the company’s refinery, deepening concerns about internal stability within one of Nigeria’s most influential labour unions.

In a petition addressed to the Registrar of Trade Unions at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, members of PENGASSAN’s Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) branch alleged that Osifo and the association’s general secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, have repeatedly flouted the union’s constitution and sidelined branch members.

The petitioners, identifying themselves as “concerned members,” accused the national leadership of disregarding democratic processes and abusing their offices. They said several attempts to engage the leadership on issues affecting the NMDPRA branch were ignored, with “numerous letters and correspondences” going unanswered.

“The continuous actions and inactions of the national leadership amount to an abuse of office and a gross violation of the provisions of the PENGASSAN constitution, especially as it pertains to the rights of branches, democratic engagement, and internal dispute resolution,” the petition reads.

The group, which claims to represent over 523 members — a two-thirds majority of the NMDPRA branch — accused the national executives of interfering in their electoral process by unilaterally appointing a caretaker committee (CTC) instead of allowing a proper election.

According to documents seen by *TheCable*, PENGASSAN’s national leadership, in a letter dated June 27, 2025, announced the constitution of a caretaker committee to oversee the branch’s affairs. The NMDPRA members rejected the move, describing it as “entirely wrong, unacceptable, and unconstitutional.”

Following repeated complaints to the Central Working Committee (CWC) without resolution, the branch said it decided to proceed with conducting its own election, in line with the union’s constitution. The dispute was later escalated to the Minister of Labour and Employment, who advised both parties to maintain calm and suspend any planned election to allow for mediation.

Despite this directive, the petitioners claim the CWC went ahead to inaugurate the caretaker committee, an act they described as a further violation of due process.

“The inauguration of the caretaker committee, despite the minister’s intervention, clearly demonstrates continued non-compliance and disregard for the principles of internal democracy,” the branch said through its lawyers in a letter to PENGASSAN’s national executive committee.

The deepening rift highlights growing unease among union members who believe the leadership has become increasingly authoritarian in recent years. It also raises questions about governance within the union, which has been vocal in national labour matters, including its recent standoff with the Dangote Group over alleged unfair labour practices.

As the petition awaits response from the Ministry of Labour, observers say the crisis could test Osifo’s leadership and the union’s commitment to transparency and internal democracy.

Neither Festus Osifo nor Lumumba Okugbawa has publicly responded to the allegations as of press time.