By JOAN NWAGWU

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned recent remarks by Sen. Adams Oshiomhole on national television, describing them as a distortion of labour laws and an assault on workers’ rights.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Williams Akporeha, President of NUPENG, and Mr. Afolabi Olawale, General Secretary of the Union, on Monday in Abuja.

The union accused Oshiomhole, a former labour leader of turning into “an advocate of corporate oppression,” by supporting employers against workers’ right to freedom of association and peaceful action.

It recalled that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 9(6) of the Labour Act, and ILO Conventions 87 and 98 all guarantee workers the right to unionize without interference.

NUPENG said Oshiomhole’s suggestion of a moratorium on unionization was “absurd and archaic,” adding that such a position had no basis in Nigerian labour laws or international standards.

The union also restated that solidarity actions, such as the ongoing strike by PENGASSAN in support of sacked workers at the Dangote Refinery, were recognized under the Trade Unions Act.

It described Oshiomhole’s comments as “historical revisionism and political amnesia,” noting that he once led strikes as NLC president on the same principles he now criticizes.

“By denouncing the PENGASSAN strike and justifying the dismissal of over 800 engineers for unionizing, Oshiomhole has betrayed the working class,” NUPENG said.

The union further declared the senator “persona non grata” within the ranks of oil and gas workers, vowing not to participate in any event featuring him.

It urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and civil society groups to take notice of the declaration.

NUPENG said it would continue to deploy legal and industrial actions to defend workers’ rights in line with national laws and international conventions.

The union said Oshiomhole has lost the moral right to comment on labour issues.

NUPENG reaffirmed solidarity with PENGASSAN and pledged unwavering support for the reinstatement of the dismissed workers. (NAN)