From Ben Dunno, Warri
A group at the forefront of mediation in the prolonged delay to conduct Warri Depot Unit IPMAN election, Delta Oil and Gas Security Monitoring Group (DOGSMG), has rejected the composition of a Management Team by the Electoral Committee, describing it as a gross violation of Association’s constitution and abuse of mandate by the electoral body.
Reacting to what played out in last Saturday, December 9 2023, Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Government House Annex, Warri, Delta state, where the electoral umpire opted for appointment of Management Team rather than a credible election, DOGSMG queried the rationale behind such unpopular and illegal decision.
The group in a statement signed by Chief Frank Akpodiete and Hon Chinedu Ezeonyeka, its Chairman and Secretary, called on IPMAN national body to live up to its responsibility by correcting the mistakes made by the 2023 Delta IPMAN Electoral Committee, in order to protect the sanctity of its constitution and respect for its democratic norms and values.
According to the statement; “Having sticked our neck out against some forces on different occasions to challenge the prolonged delay in the conduct of Delta IPMAN election, we the members of the above mentioned body wishes to express our displeasure over the decision of Delta IPMAN electoral body to jeopardise a democratic process for an unconstitutional Management Team”.
“While we outrightly reject the decision to impose an illegal Team hurriedly put together to deny the members who came out in large numbers to vote the right to their choice candidates to pilot their affairs, we called on IPMAN national body to immediately correct this abnormality carried by few individuals for selfish interest against its constitutional guidelines and provisions.”
“This appeal had become imperative considering the fact that if this illegibility was allowed to stand, it may serve as a wrong precedent in the future and this is capable of eroding the integrity and supremacy of the constitution of IPMAN as a respectable and responsible Association in the downstream sector of the economy.”
The group described the excuse by the electoral umpire to jettisoned the conduct of election for a Management Team based on restraining court orders received, as an after thought, insisting that the agenda to imposed an unpopular candidate had been plotted long ago by powerful forces within and outside IPMAN.
“Even if the Electoral body had wanted to constitute a body, it would have been Caretaker Committee and it is usually not more than five to seven members and not this over-blotted and unconstitutional Management Team”
“Furthermore, as stakeholders in the peaceful operation at the downstream sector of the economy in the state, we also want to use this medium to appeal to Governor of Delta state, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, not to meddle in the electoral process of IPMAN in the state”.
It pointed out out that the body is not a political, religious or ethnic group that could cause any harm to his political ambition in 2027 general elections but rather work with him to build a strong Delta based on his More Agenda.
We want Governor Oborevwori to realize that IPMAN is non partisan whose agenda primarily is to provide services that are channeled towards the wellbeing of the populace and therefore ready to work with any government that brings succour to the people, irrespective of the political differences with whomsoever emerged as its leadership.