The inauguration of a caretaker committee for the Independent Petroleum Marketing Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Cross River State has intensified the divisions within the already troubled association in the state.

Over the past four years, the Cross River unit of IPMAN has been embroiled in legal disputes, fragmentation, and rivalry. Now, a faction within the association has openly criticized Governor Bassey, accusing him of meddling in IPMAN’s internal crisis.

On Wednesday, Governor Otu, represented by Cross River State’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Anthony Owan-Enoh, attended the inauguration of Mr Peter Okim as the chairman of the IPMAN Caretaker Executive Committee. It is worth noting that Peter Okim had previously served in a similar capacity under the previous administration of Prof Ben Ayade as the chairman of the State Taskforce on Petroleum.

Upon Peter Okim’s inauguration, IPMAN’s South-South Zonal Chairman, Chief Lawrence Nworu, urged the members of the caretaker committee to make every effort to unify all members and restore the association’s former glory. However, the faction opposing Governor Otu expressed concerns about the government’s intentions, questioning its alignment with the newly formed faction instead of upholding and promoting the rule of law.

The governor had assured them of his full cooperation in restoring order to the association. However, the faction led by Robert Obi, chairman of the Calabar unit of IPMAN, issued a lengthy statement cautioning the governor against interfering in the affairs and leadership of IPMAN. They emphasized the potential of such interference to exacerbate the crisis and undermine the existing peace and harmony within the depot.

“And this is a wrong signal. Our expectations of a new government are for them to drive the rule of law and encourage or promote absolute peace in the state.”

The dissatisfied members of IPMAN cautioned against the governor’s involvement in endorsing illegal activities or becoming a party to actions that could lead to the disintegration of the association.

They clarified that they had previously visited the governor and provided him with an update on the situation within IPMAN. They also presented court documents containing the Federal High Court ruling in suit number FHC/CA/FHR/95/2019, which affirmed Robert Obi as the chairman, and no appellate court has overturned this ruling.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, stated that the state government’s presence at the inauguration of Peter Okim Abang was based on recognition of the national leadership of the petroleum marketers. This recognition was in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling of 2018, which acknowledged the national leadership that oversaw the election held on Wednesday.