By; Amos Tauna, Kaduna.
Fresh crisis is rocking Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, in Kaduna State, as move to conduct fresh election divided the association.
Nagogo Shema led faction of IPMAN in Kaduna State, under the Obasi Lawson national leadership had on Sunday inaugurated a committee to conduct election to usher in new executive members of the association in Kaduna zone.
Meanwhile, the Elder Chimezie Okoronko national leadership faction has kicked against the proposed election, saying it is contrary to the provision of the constitution of IPMAN 2009.
Addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, Zonal Chairman North-East, of the Okoronko faction, Alhaji Umaru Saleh said, the planned election is a ‘one-man show’, which must not be allowed to hold.
According to him, “All members are hereby warned not to participate as same is not based on the observation of the zonal executive and also not under the supervision of the NEC as required by law (IPMAN 2009 amended constitution).”
However, the Kaduna IPMAN Public Relations Officer of the Obasi Lawson faction, Alhaji Yusha’u Sani Salsabil, said, the planned election was due to their respect for the constitution of the association.
According to him, “The tenure of the Nagogo Shema led executive, which came into office on the 20th of March, 2014 will lapse on 21st March, 2017. It is in recognition of this fact that, we have set up an electoral committee to conduct election to bring in new officials.
“The members of the committee were drawn from all the aggrieved groups to give sense of belonging to everyone and prepare ground for a free, fair and credible election.”
