Exclusive:NUPENG Suspends Branch Chairman for Protesting Against Alamieyeseigha’s Pardon

By Danlami Nmodu
The Petroleum Station Workers Branch of oil workers’ union NUPENG has handed down an indefinite  suspension to Comrade Aminu Hussaini over his protest against the pardon granted by President Goodluck Jonathan to ex Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and ex Bank of the North MD,Shettima Bulama. Jonathan ‘s pardon to these ex officials drew the ire of several Nigerians including Hussaini, the chairman of petroleum station workers branch of NUPENG,FCT chapter.
Hussaini had written a protest letter to “The Chairman ,Committee of Public Petition , National Assembly,Abuja” titled “Complain of Unlawful Exoneration of Former Governor of Bayelsa state Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Former Managing Director of the North Bank alh. Shettima Bulama by President Federal Republic of Nigeria”.In the letter Hussani said “if Mr President of Nigeria is celebrating corruption, what it means is that no hope for the youth in Nigeria at large” .He urged the president to revisit the pardon and “get them rearrested”
Hussaini suggested that Jonathan should be impeached by the national assembly if he failed to rescind his pardon for the duo.His letter was dated 25th March,2013.Among those copied include President of the United States of America,Queen of England,Femi Falana,Attorney General of the Federation ,Governor of Edo State,Governor of Lagos State,NUPENG President,President Nigeria Bar Association, President Nigeria Labour Congress and President Trade Union Congress .Newsdiaryonline.com learnt that the letter has been sent to all except Falana and TUC that Hussaini is still making efforts to reach.
If the chairman of the FCT chapter of Petrol Stations Worker thought he would get the support of his fellow union executives, he was given a rude shock when a letter of indefinite suspension was subsequently handed over to him for his action.Hussaini ,sources said felt he was following the well established tradition of NUPENG legends.But the national headquarters of his union would have none of that.
In a letter dated 10th April,2013,Abass Adegoke, national secretary of the Petroleum Station Workers Branch of NUPENG told Hussaini that “ you are hereby suspended indefinitely from your office as PSW FCT Chairman pending the outcome of investigation and final determination of your action
The union’s headquarters said in the letter “while it solely you right to express yourself on National issues as a Nigerian, your expressing such using the Union letter head is clearly an abuse of your office”
The letter continued” By doing so, you have dragged the entire PSW Branch as well as the National body,NUPENG into a highly sensitive political issues without authorization from your superior officers”
Hussaini told Newsdiaryonline that he feels embarrassed by the reaction from his union because he believes fighting corruption is a collective responsibility. He suspects union officials have responded this way because they have interest in the present government.
”Iam preparing to challenge” the suspension, he said .Meanwhile most observers are watching to see how this dramatic tale of the unexpected will play out.