JUST IN: NUPENG Declares Oshiomhole ‘Persona Non Grata’ Over Comments on PENGASSAN Strike

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has declared Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), persona non grata following his recent criticism of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) strike against Dangote Refinery.

In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by NUPENG President Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Olawale Afolabi, the union said it was “shocked and disappointed” by Oshiomhole’s remarks, accusing him of “rationalising the victimisation of workers” and betraying the principles he once championed as a labour leader.

The controversy stems from Oshiomhole’s comments on Arise Television last Friday, where he described the PENGASSAN strike—suspended last Wednesday—as “ill-considered.” He argued that private investors such as Dangote should be given time to stabilise operations before facing industrial action.

“In pursuing war, you must ensure the tools you deploy do not harm innocent people,” Oshiomhole said. “If you cripple a business before it finds its feet, you’re also destroying the jobs you claim to protect.”

NUPENG condemned the statement, describing Oshiomhole’s position as “a monumental betrayal of the working class.” The union said it would no longer associate with or recognise Oshiomhole at any of its events or activities.

“The leadership of NUPENG hereby declares Senator Adams Oshiomhole *persona non grata* within the ranks of Nigerian oil and gas workers for his undistinguished denunciation of the PENGASSAN strike against the unjustifiable sack of 800 engineers,” the statement read.

It added that Oshiomhole’s stance was “a dangerous toxin designed to weaken the resolve of the working class and strengthen the class enemy,” urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups to take note.

Reaffirming its solidarity with PENGASSAN and the affected workers, NUPENG vowed to “deploy every legal and industrial instrument available” to pursue justice.

Concluding its statement, the union labelled Oshiomhole “the Judas Iscariot of Nigerian trade unionism” and advised him to “retire from commenting on labour matters,” claiming he had “irretrievably lost the moral right and legitimacy before Nigerian workers.”