Power tussle: Okim remains authentic IPMAN Chair In Cross River- Nworuh

By Ene Ene,, Calabar

The Eastern Zonal Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Larry Nworuh, on Wednesday insisted that Peter Okim-Abang is the authentic chairman of the association in Cross River State.

Recall that the Cross River state government, few days ago declared their support for Okim-Abang led IPMAN leadership

The Nations News Nigeria reports that, Nworuh’s affirmation of Okim-Abang as the authentic IPMAN chairman in Cross River State has put to rest the controversy surrounding the power tussle.

The zonal chairman, Okim-Abang made this known while reacting to the purported leadership crises of IPMAN in Cross River State.

Recalled that Okim Abang was given recognition in May 21,2024 as state chairman of IPMAN by the Cross River state government, irked by the development, an online news media came up with a write up castigating the Cross River state government for daring to recognize Okim Abang as IPMAN chairman.

Reacting to the online publication where it conferred prestige that Robert Obi is chairman of IPMAN, Cross River Unit, Nworuh said, “ Peter Okim- Abang, is the authentic chairman. He emerged chairman in an election conducted by my team and I last.

“Let me tell you Obi was in another camp, their then president was one Mr. Dabo, whereas our president was Chinedu Okoronkwo.

“We won them at the Supreme Court, and I visited Cross River state where I conducted election and Peter was elected. We thereafter held an election and a new president emerged from our camp Alhaji Abubakar Migandi Garima.

“This people approached us that peace is made, because they are pledging loyalty to the new national president. Is it not laughable to claim that the state chairman of the association must come from their camp, isn’t this laughable? When i visited governor Otu’s chief of staff, I asked the chief of staff to demand for Obi’s certificate of return.

“For this matter to be laid to rest, asks both Peter Okim-Abang and Robert Obi, to tender their certificates of return. Also ask Obi to explain who conducted his election, under whose leadership was the election was conducted?

“I cannot come to your house and offer to make peace with you only to turn round and asked you to leave the house for me for him to occupy, isn’t that ridiculous.

“You can’t come to join me only for you to ask me to vacate the house for you. Is not done that way at all. Even the government had written confirming Peter Okim-Abang.

“A government delegation led by Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu, on Oil and Gas, Ukpong Ikpeme was sent to Abuja to find out from our national president on who is the real state chairman of IPMAN in Cross River, and he was told that Peter is the authentic chairman.

“ I am surprised that even when the government of this state wrote a letter confirming Peter as authentic chairman, Obi is still insisting that he is the chairman.

He blamed the administration of the former governor, Ben Ayade for backing Obi up against IPMAN constitution, and however accused Obi of lying to the SSG Anthony Owan-Enoh who gave him a letter, after supervising the inauguration.

“Upon realizing the truth, the government issued a new letter countering the initial one issue in 2023. He has been going about telling people how government has no right to make input in the matter”.

“But it is same government that supported you all this while. One question to ask Obi is that how government will ignore such an issue when this thing is happening in their state, and if not properly handled is can brew crises in their state.

“Supreme Court gave judgment; he went elsewhere and brought one ‘Jankara’, judgment from a lower court in Calabar how can lower court upturn judgment of Supreme Court”? He maintained.