The controversies that have trailed the change of hands in the administrative business of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have been laid to rest. This development was as a result of the IPMAN, Rivers State chapter election that was conducted at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on April 20, 2012.
Prior to the election, Sir Silas Onyima, the Campaign Director to Prince Sunny G. Nkpe, had told journalists in Eleme, Rivers State, that their priority was to ensure a change of government in IPMAN, Rivers State chapter. Sir Onyima commended the immediate past chairman of IPMAN, Chief Samuel Osaroejor for his completion of the IPMAN secretariat at Eleme, adding that a lot more needed to be done to correct some of the things that went wrong, while Chief Osaroejor’s administration lasted.
Silas affirmed that his job will not only end as Campaign Director, but to ensure that their campaign promises will be brought to bear; especially in the area of their members’ welfare, whom he said have suffered so much for a very long time. He blamed the problem of loading petroleum products at the depot on the epileptic nature of infrastructure at the depot.
Similarly, comrade Darlington Nyimeone, Youth President of Ogale and Assistant Security Chairman of Eleme General, Victor Afiakurue, Vice President of Orom Welfare, Sir Ezenwa Ikechukwu (KSJI) and Prince Amaechi Igwe, MD/CEO of Jenuine Ventures (Nig) Ltd., were optimistic that Prince Sunny G. Nkpe will carry the day, having been endorsed by the entire youths, monarchs, Eleme LGA Council and members of IPMAN, Rivers State chapter. Believing that Sunny will use his youthful age and experience to deliver the long expected dividends to IPMAN and Eleme Community as Chairman.
The elections saw the emergency of Prince Sunny G. Nkpe who polled a total of 135 votes to out-run Mr. Osaro Amabi of Mimi Oil, who scored 35 votes, in the absence of the incumbent Chairman, Chief Samuel Osaroejor, to clinch the position of IPMAN Chairman, Rivers State chapter. The position of Vice Chairman went to Mr. Achilike Skills, whose election was unopposed following the withdrawal of his immediate contender, Mr. Mbonu Ozomena.
Other elected positions include: Mr. Cletus Obi, Secretary, Theresa Ntiense Eyo, Treasurer, Sir Obele Ngechu (KSC), Assistant Secretary. Evang. Obinna Nwana, PRO and Dr. Ofokansi Ikechukwu, as the Legal Adviser. Others are: Chinedu Ukadike, Organizing Secretary, Blessing Chibudom, Chief Whip, Mr. Tamuno, Financial Secretary and Prince Osigwe as the Auditor, amongst others.
Shortly after the elections, Mr. Achilike Skills, the newly elected Vice Chairman of IPMAN, expressed gratitude to God and members of IPMAN for the peaceful conduct of the elections that brought them to office. He asked for the support of every member, to ensure that the change which they all have been yearning for, will be brought to bear in IPMAN.
While Evang. Obinna Nwana, the new IPMAN PRO expressed dissatisfaction on his aborted secretaryship position of IPMAN in 2004, he added that he decided to run for the post of PRO, even though he bought form and was cleared for the position of Secretary, after due consultations and promised to respect the portfolio of every executive member.
However, Prince Sunny G. Nkpe, the newly elected IPMAN Chairman, promised at the palace of HRM King S. 0 Ejike and that of HRH Emere Emperor J.D Nkpe II to serve with humility and dignity and to respect elders. The two monarchs however blessed all the newly elected executive members of IPMAN, Rivers State chapter and urged them to carry their members along and to support Eleme Community, where their business activities are been carried out. ###
By Blaise Elumezie
