NUPENG Gears Up for New President Election as Akporeha's Tenure Concludes

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), representing workers in the oil and gas industry, is scheduled to hold elections for a new president on April 24, as the current president, Comrade Williams Akporeha, concludes his term.

Akporeha announced his departure date over the weekend during the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG's Quarterly National Executive Council meeting, which took place in Warri, Delta State.

Indications suggest that Comrade Salimon Akanni Oladiti, the former National Chairman of the PTD and current National Trustee of NUPENG, is the favoured candidate to become the next president. The election is slated to occur in Lagos.

This upcoming election is significant as it marks a potential historic moment for the union, with Oladiti's emergence meaning a member from the PTD Branch would hold the national presidency for the first time.

During the meeting, Comrade Joseph Okafor, the Port Harcourt Zonal Chairman of PTD-NUPENG, put forward a motion for the endorsement of Oladiti, which received unanimous backing. Comrade Adekunle Akinlaja from the Lagos zone seconded the motion.

Comrade Akporeha expressed his gratitude to the PTD members for their steadfast support throughout his eight years in office, highlighting their loyalty as a crucial factor in his leadership's achievements.

He voiced strong backing for a PTD member to take over the presidency, viewing it as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication.

"Eight years ago, you stood by me in this same room. When things were tough, you stood by me through all the challenges," Akporeha stated.

He added, "I have no apology for supporting one of your own as president. My conscience would not allow otherwise. God used you to install me."

He appealed to the members to extend similar support to Oladiti and Comrade Mathias Ote, who has been elected as the substantive PTD National Chairman, to foster unity and sustained progress within the union.

Earlier, Ote, in his acceptance speech, conveyed his thanks to the leadership and members for their trust, pledging to provide competent leadership that would reinforce the branch.

He acknowledged that despite other capable individuals vying for the position, his selection was a result of collective agreement and divine guidance.

In his remarks, Alhaji Lawal Yusuf Othman, President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), commended NUPENG for facilitating a peaceful leadership transition and promoting inclusivity in its executive structure.