From Ben Dunno, Warri
Concerned stakeholders in the oil and gas sector,DeltaState, have decried prolonged delay in conduct of election for new executives of Independent PetroleumMarketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Warri Refinery Depot, describing it as gross violation of democratic values for any registered association as enshrined in the constitution.
Rising from an emergency meeting held in Ozoro, Isoko North Council, at the weekend, the group dismissed speculations that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori ordered the delay, noting,”a democratically elected governor will not disrupt an association’s democratic process.”
The stakeholders under the auspices of Delta Oil and Gas Security Monitoring Group (DOGSMG), frowned at any attempt by an individual or group to impose candidates on IPMAN members, “such imposition is usually counter productive, as it tends to promote bad blood and violence among members.”
DOGSMG’s statement signed by Chief Frank Akpodiete and Chinedu Ezeonyeka, its Coordinator and Secretary respectively, urged the governor to “clear his name in the whole drama that has led to the prolonged delay in the IPMAN election by dissociating himself from it and ensuring that due process of democracy is duly followed.
“IPMAN over the years had enjoyed reasonable peace among its members and the only way this can be sustained is to allow for a credible election where its members would be free to elect the executives that would pilot its affairs in the next three years.”