The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has warned that Governor Nasir El-Rufair’s arrogance and autocratic tendencies could plunge the entire country into a major industrial crisis if he continues sponsoring hoodlums to attack peaceful protesters continue in Kaduna State.
NUPENG is one of the 46 industrial unions affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress.
This was disclosed today by the National President of the NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, in a statement to journalists in Kaduna. He said the labour union is “deeply saddened with the violent turn of NLC peaceful protests by the dictatorial and despotic regime of Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State”.
Akporeha’s statement was a response to the reported disruption of a peaceful protest by members of the NLC. The NLC is protesting the sack of hundreds of workers by the state government, which it (state) had termed ‘rightsizing’
The protesters were marching around the NEPA roundabout in the Kaduna metropolis when the thugs pelted them with objects.
The workers had gathered at the location in preparation for the continuation of their protest when the thugs invaded the area and violently dispersed them.
An infuriated state governor, Mr El-Rufai, later declared the NLC leader, Ayuba Wabba wanted and equally placed a ‘bounty on him.
“The Leadership of the Union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to order before his arrogance and power-drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing, the statement said.
“Consequently, the Union reiterates that no Labour Leaders or workers as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the State.
“Our Union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other Labour Leaders to danger in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the State
“NUPENG therefore warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized Labour, the Leadership of the Union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shut down of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.
“In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises.
