EXCLUSIVE: Crisis Hits PENGASSAN as Members Accuse Festus Osifo of ‘Undemocratic Conduct’
A faction of members from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has formally petitioned the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, accusing the union’s national president, Festus Osifo, and general secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, of “undemocratic conduct” and breaches of the union constitution.
What the Petition Alleges
The petition — seen by this newsroom — was submitted by over 523 members who identify with PENGASSAN’s Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) branch. It accuses the national leadership of routinely ignoring branch correspondence, imposing a caretaker committee without proper electoral process, and generally undermining internal democracy and constitutional safeguards within the union.
Timeline & Key Events
According to documents referenced in the petition, the national secretariat wrote to the NMDPRA branch on June 27 stating that a Caretaker Committee (CTC) had been constituted to run the branch’s affairs. The branch members say they rejected the appointment as “entirely wrong” and “unconstitutional,” and that repeated requests for a legitimate election were ignored.
Frustrated by the national leadership’s non-response, the branch said it proceeded to organise an election. The row was then escalated to the minister of labour and employment, who — according to the petitioners — intervened and wrote on August 15 urging calm and a pause on branch elections while the ministry engaged stakeholders to resolve the dispute.
Members' Claims & Demands
The petitioners say the national leadership’s actions amount to an abuse of office and a gross violation of PENGASSAN’s constitution, particularly provisions protecting the rights of branches to free and fair elections and internal dispute resolution. They have urged the federal government to intervene and restore due process within the union.
Broader Context
The dispute follows a period of internal tension within PENGASSAN, including earlier accusations of top-down appointments and concerns about leadership interference in branch affairs. Pressure groups and other stakeholders have previously criticised the union over perceived heavy-handed tactics — a backdrop that makes the current NMDPRA petition significant for PENGASSAN’s unity and public image.
Response from PENGASSAN Leadership
As of publication, the national presidency and the office of the general secretary have not issued a detailed public response to the petition. Our attempts to reach PENGASSAN’s national secretariat for comment were unsuccessful. The union’s leadership may respond through formal channels or via the union’s official statements to members.
What Happens Next
The petition requests regulatory intervention from the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Ministry of Labour to investigate the allegations and ensure that PENGASSAN adheres to its constitution. If the ministry intervenes formally, outcomes could include mediation, a directive to conduct supervised elections, or other corrective measures to restore internal democracy.
Why This Matters
PENGASSAN is one of Nigeria’s key oil and gas unions; prolonged internal disputes risk disrupting union activities and could affect labour relations across the petroleum sector. For members, fair internal processes are essential to protect representation, prevent factionalism, and maintain the union’s bargaining legitimacy.