The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is set to elect a new national president on April 24, as the tenure of its current leader, Williams Akporeha, comes to an end.

Akporeha announced his exit at the weekend during the Quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch held in Warri, Delta State, marking the close of his eight-year leadership.

Union sources indicate that Salimon Akanni Oladiti, a former PTD national chairman and current trustee of the union, is expected to emerge as the next president at the election scheduled to hold in Lagos.

If confirmed, Oladiti’s emergence would mark the first time a member of the PTD branch rises to lead the union at the national level.

His endorsement followed a motion for unanimous ratification moved by Joseph Okafor and seconded by Adekunle Akinlaja during the council meeting.

In what appeared to be valedictory remarks, Akporeha thanked PTD members for their support throughout his tenure, describing their loyalty as instrumental to his leadership.

He said his backing for a PTD member to succeed him was driven by a desire to recognise their commitment, urging members to extend the same support to the incoming leadership.

Akporeha also called for unity within the union, expressing hope that NUPENG would emerge stronger after his tenure and cautioning against internal divisions.

Meanwhile, Mathias Ote, who was elected as the substantive national chairman of the PTD branch, pledged to provide effective leadership and build on the union’s progress.

In a goodwill message, the President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, Lawal Yusuf Othman, commended NUPENG for ensuring a peaceful transition process and expressed continued support for the union.