LEADERSHIP CRISES HITS IPMAN

Following a prolonged leadership tussle over who leads the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Rivers State, a detachment of armed police men have cordoned – off the secretariat of the association located in Okirika Local government Area of Rivers state.

Following a prolonged leadership tussle over who leads the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Rivers State, a detachment of armed police men have cordoned – off the secretariat of the association located in Okirika Local government Area of Rivers state.
Our correspondent who visited the secretariat last week confirmed that police van was mounted at the entrance of the secretariat, with fully- armed policemen taking strategic positions within the secretariat. Apart from stern looking police officers at the gate, there were also heavy armed police at the premises of the secretariat.
Within the IPMAN reception room inside the secretariat, police uniformed men and women were also spotted watching cable television, after effectively taking control of the premises.
There was however no IPMAN member in the premises at the time of the visit, except two persons who refused to comment.
When our reporter probed to know from one of the police constable who declined to mention his name, he confirmed that the police presence is at the instant of the IPMAN leadership preparatory to the forthcoming elections, so as to maintain law and order.
He also hinted that many of the members had traveled to Cross Rivers State for the same purpose, even as he disclosed that elections into in the Okirika L.G.A unit  of River State was scheduled for last Friday
Ahead the proposed election to determine who takes charge of the important petroleum distribution organization in Rivers State, there has been deep-rooted crises within the association.
A faction opposed to the incumbent chairman accused him of plotting for third term; a situation they allege is against IPMAN constitution.
Another dimension is the politics of tribal sentiments between Okirika and Eleme communities, each struggling who produces the next IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State.
Already, two chairmanship aspirant Sunny G. Nkpe (Eleme) and Chief Bar Adokiye Dede, are set to slug it out over who wins Port Harcourt unit Depot Chairman of IPMAN.