The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to shut down petrol stations in the South-East saying it would suspend distribution of products into and within the zone over alleged harassment of its members by the Police.
The IPMAN who made this known in a statement signed by the National President of IPMAN faction, Alhaji Sanusi Fari, said the stoppage will take effect from Monday, August 2nd.
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The circular disclosed that the IPMAN will withdraw services including the dispatch of petroleum products in the Eastern Zone comprising Aba, Calabar, Enugu, Makurdi, and Port Harcourt Depots from where the product reaches Nnewi, Onitsha, and Awka among other places in Anambra.
“Following the series of unwarranted attacks by Police against IPMAN, Eastern Zone comprising the NEC of IPMAN resolved that members withdraw their services at these units/depots immediately until further notice.
“The Zonal Chairman, East should kindly forward to chairmen, IPMAN, Aba, Calabar, Enugu, Makurdi and PH Depots/Units for compliance,” it stated.
Chidi Nnubia, the Secretary of the group in Anambra told journalists that the action was to protest the forceful eviction of a duly elected executive at the Port Harcourt depot by the police to pave way for a group not known to them on Friday.
The Secretary said the Fari-led national executive had a Court order which authenticated its leadership and wondered why the Police would allow any group of persons to truncate a legitimate exco without due process.
“On Friday, a group loyal to a parallel faction which lost out in the court was led to forcefully take over the IPMAN office at the Port Harcourt depot.
“Dr. Joseph Obele, the lawfully elected chairman of the depot was elected in Oct 2019 in an election which these people participated in, his tenure will expire in 2022, so they should allow him to finish his tenure.
“We are using this opportunity to call on the Inspector General of Police to intervene and prevail on his men so that they can allow the leadership of IPMAN recognised by law to have access to their office in Port Harcourt depot.