By Emmanuella Anokam
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have threatened to exit its umbrella body, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), if its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, do not resign.
Mr. Gbenga Olawale, an ex-officio of the PTD from the Ibadan depot, said on Sunday that their members would begin a nationwide protest to press home their demand.
The statement directed PTD members across the country to move with leaves in front of their trucks to serve as a warning to NUPENG and police against interference and incessant harassment of their leaders.
According to Olawale, Williams is not a member of NUPENG and, as such, lacks the competence to lead the union.
He alleged that Williams was drafted into the petrol station workers of NUPENG (PSW) to enable him to contest the election as NUPENG president, which was a departure from the NUPENG constitution.
“Williams is not a worker or a pump attendant on record, as at the time he was verifying for the president position,” the statement said.
Olawale further alleged that Williams planted his surrogates to collect all union revenue, which was not used for the development of the union and tanker drivers.
He called for a fresh election as members of the PTD have decided to stand with Lucky Osusan and Dayyabu Garga to be the new NUPENG President and general secretary, respectively.
Olawale added that they decided to support Osusan and Garga because they sacrificed so much to ensure their members were free from extortion.
(NAN)