How C' River SSG Fuels IPMAN Leadership Crisis, Endorses Two Factional Chairmen

By Ndifreke BASSEY

Fresh facts have emerged on how the Cross River state Secretary to State Government,  SSG, Prof Anthony Owan, has been fuelling the  Calabar chapter of Independent Petroleum Markets Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) leadership crisis. 

The fact facts emerged recently following the presentations of letters of SSG's endorsements by  the factional chairmen one led by Obi and the other led by Abang.

Recall that State IPMAN have been engulfed in leadership succession tussle for over decades, leading to factionalisation between Peter Okim Abang and Robert Asue Obi groups. 

And determined to settle all rifts across all states, the IPMAN National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, called for a piece meeting last week in Abuja with Obi, Edet and Abang as well as other national officers in attendance. 

At the meeting, both Obi and Abang presented letters signed by SSG introducing each of them as the authentic chairman of IPMAN , Calabar Depot with different dates.

On sighting the two letters, the national officers expressed surprise at the development and questioned the rational behind SSG endorsing the two factions even when he knows there is a leadership tussle. 

While the letter tendered by Peter Okim Abang signed by SSG was dated 
May 21, 2024, that of Robert Obi was also signed by SSG and dated July 24, 2023.

According to the letter recognising Abang, the SSG, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, called on the national president of IPMAN to stop Chief Robert Obi from parading himself as the substantive IPMAN chairman in the state.

The state government averred that "at no point did Chief Obi emerge as chairman of IPMAN in the state, stressing that the only one recognised by the state government as chairman of IPMAN is Mr Peter Okim Abang."

A letter addressed to IPMAN national president, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, urged "the association’s national leadership to call Obi to order to avoid throwing the state into chaos."

The state government’s letter, which was copied the inspection general of police (IGP), the director of State Security Service (DSS) Calabar, AIG zone 6 and other security agencies, appealed to security agencies to "stop Obi from parading himself as the substantive chairman of the association to avoid creating crisis in the state."

Equally in a letter endorsing Robert Obi and dated  July 24, 2013, the SSG said he was not aware of the crisis and that was why he attended Abang's inauguration 

The letter addresses to Obi read in part:  "I write to address the thinking that my attendance at the inauguration of Mr. Peter Okim. Abang was intended to give an official coloration to the event.

"I was totally unaware of the issues in the Union and attended purely in my private
capacity. It is highly regrettable that my attendance evoked such interpretation.

"I wish IPMAN, Calabar Union understanding and co-operation for the good of the State."

Sources close to the meeting revealed that national Exco members present ignored the two letters and went ahead and finally endorsed Robert Asue Obi as the authentic IPMAN Chairman, Calabar Depot with Peter Abang as the Vice Chairman. 

This has laid to rest the leadership tussle in the state. 

The national leadership also warned their members against dragging government into their activities.

However, some IPMAN members, who don't want to be quoted, have lashed out at the SSG for meddling into the internal affairs of IPMAN accusing him of playing ethnic politics with Abang, who hail from central senatorial district just as Prof. Owan.

They said it is unbecoming of the SSG to write two letters endorsing the two factions instead of him searching for the truth with a view to calling for a truce.