TUC, PENGASSAN Dragged to Court Over Rivers Leadership Crisis

A leadership dispute involving the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has escalated into a legal battle, with suspended Rivers labour leader Comrade Ikechukwu Foster Onyefuru challenging his removal and the dissolution of elected executives.

The cases, filed at the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt, are identified as NICN/PH/60/2026 and NICN/PH/63/2026.

Onyefuru, a senior staff member of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (formerly Shell Petroleum Development Company), is contesting his suspension as Chairman of the Rivers State Council of the TUC.

He argues that the disciplinary action violated the union’s constitution, insisting only the National Executive Council or Central Working Committee had the authority to sanction an elected state chairman after a fair hearing.

He is seeking reinstatement, invalidation of any replacement elections, and ₦15 million in damages and costs.

The second case involves Onyefuru and nine other members of the former SPDC branch executive of PENGASSAN, who were elected in August 2024 for a three-year tenure but dissolved in May 2025 after Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings acquired SPDC shares.

The union replaced them with a caretaker committee led by Akpe Emmanuel.

The claimants argue that the dissolution contravened the PENGASSAN Constitution of 2022 and are asking the court to stop recognition of the caretaker committee, prevent exclusion from union activities, and halt compulsory deductions for the PENGASSAN Foundation.

Both cases remain pending, with defendants yet to file responses.

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