In a bold move, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Warri Zone, on Wednesday, picketed the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), daring the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba.

Union members arrived at the university gate as early as 6:00 am, bearing placards with inscriptions such as: “Prof. Ezekiel O. Agbalagba Must Go”, “We Say No to Divide and Rule by the Vice Chancellor of FUPRE”, “No to Victimisation”, “No to Intimidation”, “Earned Allowance Is Our Legitimate Right”, and “Prof. Agbalagba Cannot Teach Us Unionism”, amongst others.

In a peaceful protest, they blocked the road and main gate of the institution with petrol tankers and trucks, chanting solidarity songs as the trucks were parked in a show of force.

The action comes in response to a circular issued on Monday, 21 July, by the Vice Chancellor, which the unions allege portrays their members as a security threat.

The circular, referenced VC/STAF&STDS/25/VOL1 and titled “Security Alert and Caution to All Staff and Students”, reportedly called for the deployment of armed security personnel against the union members.

The unions described the circular as “disgraceful, dangerous, and a clear abuse of power,” accusing Professor Agbalagba of resorting to “archaic, repressive and provocative” anti-union tactics.

They stated that the VC has no right to stop their protest, warning that the action may escalate into a nationwide demonstration if the alleged harassment and victimisation of their members continue.

They also criticised the Vice Chancellor for attempting to suppress their constitutional right to freedom of association, calling it “an unacceptable abuse of power.”

As the time of filing this report, our correspondent at the scene notes that General Secretaries Afolabi Olawale (NUPENG) and Lumumba Okugbawa (PENGASSAN) are yet to address the press.

It be recalled that In the aforementioned circular, Professor Agbalagba, who personally signed it, warned: “Be advised that the University Management will not tolerate any action that will jeopardise the peaceful academic environment or undermine the significant achievement of the Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR)’s administration in maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar across Nigerian universities.“ (Nigerian Tribune)