A leadership crisis is brewing in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), as members of its Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) branch accuse the national president, Festus Osifo, of “undemocratic conduct” and “constitutional violations.”
In a petition addressed to the Registrar of Trade Unions at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the members also faulted the conduct of Lumumba Okugbawa, the association’s general secretary. They urged the federal government to intervene, citing abuse of office and disregard for the association’s constitution.
The petition, signed by over 523 members—representing more than two-thirds of the branch—alleged that the national leadership ignored several attempts by the branch to resolve internal issues. “We have written numerous letters and made repeated efforts to engage the national leadership constructively, but they have refused to respond,” the group said.
According to them, the actions of the national officers undermine internal democracy and violate the rights of branches as enshrined in PENGASSAN’s constitution. “We are compelled to escalate this matter to the Registrar to protect due process, union integrity, and democratic engagement within PENGASSAN,” the petition added.
Caretaker Committee Appointment Sparks Dispute
The conflict began after the national leadership, through a June 27 letter, announced the establishment of a caretaker committee (CTC) to manage the affairs of the NMDPRA branch. The branch members rejected the move, calling it “unconstitutional,” “wrong,” and “unacceptable.”
They said the CTC appointment bypassed a legitimate election and violated internal procedures. After receiving no response from the Central Working Committee (CWC), the branch resolved to conduct its own election as approved by members.
Frustrated by the lack of feedback, the branch escalated the matter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, asking for intervention. In a letter dated August 15, 2025, the minister appealed to members to remain calm and suspend their election while the ministry engaged with all parties to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Despite the ministry’s directive, the CWC reportedly inaugurated the caretaker committee almost immediately, a move the branch described as “continued non-compliance and constitutional violation.”
Members Demand Government Intervention
The aggrieved members insist that their actions aim to defend internal democracy and transparency in union governance. They urged the labour ministry to uphold fairness, enforce the rule of law, and ensure that PENGASSAN’s leadership adheres to its own constitution.
“We only seek justice and accountability,” one senior branch member said. “This union must not drift away from the principles that built it.”
