C’River Govt. Bars Robert Obi From Parading As IPMAN Chair

By Ene Ene, Calabar

The government of Cross River State has called on the National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi to ask one of his members, Robert Obi, to desist forthwith from parading himself as substantive IPMAN Chairman, Cross River State unit.

The state government stated that at no point did Robert Obi emerge as Chairman of IPMAN stressing that the only individual recognized by state government as chairman of IPMAN is Mr. Peter Okim Abang.

A letter from the Cross River State government signed and issued to newsmen in Calabar, by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Anthony Owan Enoh dated May 21,2024 with a title “Our Ref:SSG/GSA/S/135/VoL.11/311 and addressed to IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, asked IPMAN national president to call Obi to order so that he doesn’t drag the state to anarchy.

The letter copied to the inspector General of Police (IGP), Director, state security service DSS Càlabar, Assistant Inspector general of Police AIG zone 6, and other security agencies, appealed to security agencies to stop Obi from parading himself as substantive chairman of the association to avoid creating crises in the state.

The statement reads in part: “Recall that after, Chinedu Okoronkwo, emerged president following a supreme court judgement in 2019.

“He duly constituted a caretaker committee for IPMAN, Càlabar unit during which Edet Umanah, emerged caretaker committee chairman with Mr.Peter Okim Abang, as vice Chairman.

“Following the expiration of Edet Umanah’s tenure as caretaker committee chairman,IPMAN Càlabar unit, an election was held.

“A window of 3 months interval was given for conduct of election during which Peter Okim Abang emerged as substantive chairman on December 1,2023.

“The election was witnessed by all Stakeholders including state government functionaries and all the security agencies, as well as other sister unions operating in the sector.

“Peter Okim Abang led a delegation to the Zonal election after his emergence as chairman of IPMAN Càlabar unit in which Lawrence Nworu emerged winner and thereafter led delegates from Càlabar to the national president of IPMAN election which took place on December 14,2023.

“The certificate of return issued to Peter Abang was signed by Chinedu Okoronkwo,who is the immediate past president, the same official who signed the certificate of return”. State government’s letter concluded.

On his part, Peter Okim Abang lauded authority of Cross River State government for toeing the path of justice and not lies. “I am grateful to the state government for allowing Justice to prevail.

In a swift reaction to the letter in a telephone conversation with Obi, he said: “I remain the authentic chairman of IPMAN and no one else’ he maintained.