Nigerian Court Nullifies PENGASSAN Chevron Election, Orders Fresh Poll

A Nigerian court has nullified an election held by PENGASSAN for its Chevron branch in September 2025, declaring it unconstitutional and void. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Division, ruled that the dissolution of the elected branch leadership was invalid.

The court also declared the eight-member caretaker committee installed after the dissolution as unconstitutional and ordered a fresh poll within 30 days of the judgment. Justice Joyce A. O. Damachi delivered the 22-page judgment on August 10, 2026, in Suit No. NICN/LA/214/2025.

The court found that PENGASSAN breached its own constitution by appointing eight members instead of the maximum five permitted under Rule 31.4. The judge also granted a perpetual injunction restraining PENGASSAN and its agents from giving effect to the dissolved caretaker committee, the revoked bye-laws or the September 2025 elections.

The court awarded N1 million in costs against PENGASSAN, directing the first defendant to pay the amount to the claimants. Former Trade Union Congress Secretary Ete Oyegbanren welcomed the judgment, saying it would help reposition PENGASSAN and called for an election for new executives of PENGASSAN at Chevron branch to come into office.