Calls for a shake-up in the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have intensified, as stakeholders of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch push for the resignation of union president, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and general secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale.

In a statement signed by PTD elder Preye Odede-Graham and endorsed by zonal leaders from Kaduna, Warri, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, the group argued that the union’s leadership has failed to provide stability and has instead fostered division and discontent among members.

The tanker drivers accused the current executives of mishandling disputes with key industry stakeholders including Dangote Refinery, DAPPMAN, IPMAN, and other petroleum marketers. They also alleged that PTD members had suffered intimidation and harassment under the current administration, which they described as contrary to the union’s rules and respect for workers’ dignity.

According to the statement, PTD members are unwilling to be used as political pawns against the federal government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Instead, they called for greater recognition of Dangote Refinery’s achievements, citing its 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity and the investment in 10,000 trucks, which they said created thousands of jobs and strengthened Nigeria’s refining capacity.

The group urged President Tinubu to discourage fuel imports through higher tariffs and to ensure more crude supply is directed to Dangote Refinery. They also suggested reforms such as nationalising dormant oil wells and promoting dredging to revitalise abandoned sites.

Appealing to government agencies, regulators, civil society, and the media, the PTD stakeholders asked for support in their push to “re-engineer” NUPENG by removing Akporeha and Olawale from office.

“This struggle is about ending exploitation and restoring dignity to our members,” the statement read. “Together, we must stand against those sabotaging Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.”

The rift highlights ongoing tensions within the oil and gas labour movement, with tanker drivers positioning themselves as key players in the call for union reform.