SAN FRANCISCO, August 31, (THEWILL) – The Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG has dismissed 15 of its members for alleged insubordination and their involvement in the conduct of a parallel election at the Warri chapter of the Independent Marketers Branch of NUPENG against the one held in Benin, the Edo State capital, by the national secretarial of the union.
Their dismissal came as the State chapter of NUPENG announced a temporary strike action to prod the Delta State Government to ensure that the group which conducted the “kangaroo” election are brought to book.
Their expulsion was conveyed in a letter at the weekend when the newly executives of IMB of NUPENG met with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan aides in Sapele.
The NUPENG officials had earlier warned the state government that if the dismissed members were not called to order, the union would have no other option than to embark on an indefinite strike action .
It would be recalled that the Independent Marketers Branch of NUPENG had been thrown into a crisis following the attempt by some forces within the union to manipulate the election into the new executive committee.
The election which saw the emergence of the Comrade Benjamin Ifeta-led executive was conducted at the Da Civic Centre in Benin, the Edo State capital, on Wednesday after the intervention of the national leadership of NUPENG.
Some youths from Ekpan community had allegedly threatened to disrupt the exercise originally scheduled to hold in Warri if certain positions were not reserved for their kinsmen against the constitution of NUPENG.
It was learnt however that while the election which was held under tight security was ongoing in Benin, some element also gathered themselves in Warri to conduct a parallel election where they allotted offices to themselves against the constitution of the NUPENG which abhorred fractionalisation of its union.
The secretariat of the union was also looted after the parallel committee pronounced itself as the executive of the union.
Those expelled members includes Akpos Akpemuwon (Chairman), Atigari Jonathan (Vice Chairman), Uzu Edewor (Secretary), Godwin Ejiro (Ass. Secretary), Godwin Akhinemue (Fin. Secretary), Ono-Akporuke Edafe (Auditor), Alex Nzekwe,(Welfare 1), Joy Imafidon. (Welfare 2), Joseph A. Ujeya (Chief whip), Owoloja J. Ota (Treasurer)
Others include Elvis Akpobome, Ubini Isaac, Mercy Edjemere, Blessing Odogboro as well as the electoral officer, Awinoron Daniel.
But in the election held in Benin, Benjamin Ifeta emerged as chairman of the IMB Warri unit with 418 votes to beat Peter Oghomienor who got 10 votes .
Rex Mobaghan was also returned as the vice chairman unopposed while Harrison Ojugbeli got 316 votes to emerge Secretary after beating Jonathan Okwokei who got 114 votes and Chuks Nwokolo who got 18 votes.
Matthew Ogwala who got 259 votes to beat Stanley Itegbere who garnered 166 votes was elected the Assistant Secretary as John Bayo pulled 252 votes to emerge the Treasurer after beating Stephen Ayejamofo who got 82 votes and Yusuf Kazeem who got 76 votes. Lugard Agege got 224 votes to emerge Financial Secretary after beating Festus Obomeile who got 113 votes and Adamu Isenalumhe who got 89 votes and Darlington Izevbigie who got 35 votes.
Isaac Omokoro who got 363 votes after beating Benedict Agwaren who got 28 votes and Eviemere Avierokego who got 45 votes emerged the Public Relation Officer while Mangodo Emuejevoke got 227 votes to emerge as Auditor, beating Joseph Agboro who got 200 votes.
The position of Welfare Officer (female) went to Esther Ekperusi who got 240 votes after beating Peace Ayeobore who got 106 votes and Okhueleigbe Momoh who got 67 votes. The position of Chief Whip went to Famous Omokoro and Esther Eroutteh who were returned unopposed while the Welfare Officer (male) went to Okpaku Azubuike Jude who was also returned unopposed.
