The Chairman, Calabar Zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Comrade Robert Obi has raised the alarm over the surreptitious moves by officials of the Cross River government to install a factional executive to oversee the affairs of the body at Calabar Depot.
A press statement issued by Comrade Obi in Calabar, warned that such action will not only contravene a subsisting court ruling thereby amounting to a contempt of court, but would also trigger avoidable unrest in the sector with severe economic consequences.
The IPMAN boss described the purported swearing-in of the Cross River Petroleum Task Force chairman, Peter Abang as the “new” IPMAN boss in Cross River as an affront on the rule of law.
The statement averred “that the “presence of Prof. Anthony Owan Enor, Secretary to the State Government at the inauguration of Abang, a former special assistant to Ayade on petroleum matters and current chairman of the petroleum task force on Wednesday was meant to give a semblance of official colouration to the illegal contraption.”
“In his words, “The Association feel worried at the moves by some power mongers to attempt to hijack IPMAN leadership, even when they know that such action is unacceptable and would be ultra vires to the rule of law.”Chairman of Calabar Zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Comrade Robert Obi
“It is on record that IPMAN Calabar unit is led by Comrade Robert Obi who has piloted the affairs of the Association courtesy of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Presently, we are on the verge of concluding the reconciliation process, Elder Edet Umana who was in court before now to ensure the return of lasting peace which has eluded the union for years.”
“It is therefore worrisome to hear the resurrection of another leader in the Calabar unit of IPMAN orchestrated by the chief architect of the national crisis in IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, ably supported by his kinsmen in Calabar.”
The statement added that Comrade Robert Obi’s leadership is a product of a court ruling and not a product of factional tussle, stressing that the court verdict that installed convince Comrade Elder Edet to withdraw his case to explore an amicable resolution.
“Marketers who have enjoyed relative peace are shocked and bewildered to discover another subtle move using government agents to undermine the law with a view of causing the possible breakdown of law and order.”
“We want to appeal to Governor Bassey Otu to step in and restrain his aides from dabbling into unnecessary issues likely to embarrass the government.
But in a swift reaction, the Cross River government said its presence at the inauguration of Abang was based on recognition of the national leadership of the petroleum marketers.
Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Bassey Otu, who revealed this further stated that government attendance at the inauguration was in respect of the Supreme Court ruling of 2018 which accorded legal status to the national leadership that supervised Wednesday’s election.
Commenting on the issue, a public affairs analyst, Chief Etta Orim expressed dismay over the position of the government on the matter.
According to him, “It is too early for the present administration to venture into an issue of this nature. It amounts to courting possible mayhem that can cripple the economy of States under the zone when the bubbles burst.”
“Gov. Otu has a lot on his hands to grapple with ranging from random kidnappings, the bloated wage bill, and evacuation of refuse mountains despite an empty treasury. He should be spared this distraction for God’s sake.”
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