By Olamilekan FAWAS
The national executive of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has condemned the discouragement of stakeholders from attending the forthcoming NIPCO’s annual general meeting (AGM) purported by some individual spreading fake information.
IPMAN Secretary-General, Mr. Danladi Pasali, in a communiqué issued after the National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja, debunked the rumour and asked its members and other stakeholders in NIPCO to attend the firm’s 2018 AGM.
The debunked report, which was attributed to IPMAN, had advised shareholders and other stakeholders in NIPCO not to attend its forthcoming AGM for security reasons, adding the an internal problem centred on calls for removal of Chief Bestman Anekwe as the chairman of NIPCO is in court and had be reported to all the security agencies.
However, Pasali said IPMAN was aware that the chairman of NIPCO Plc, Chief Bestman Paul Anekwe, has complied with the necessary provision of law.
He said IPMAN under the leadership of Chief Chinedu Okoronkwo respects the views of members of IPMAN on freedom of speech, adding that the NEC of IPMAN will not tolerate anybody to hide under the Association’s name to commit unlawful action to the detriment of IPMAN’s name.
He said it is also a statement of facts that one Chinedu Ukadike, who is the arrow head in the purported suit FHC/PH/CS/06/2018 was not an IPMAN member as he has no company registered as independent marketer under IPMAN not to talk of being a shareholder in NIPCO Plc.
“NIPCO is a corporate entity with registered shareholders who are qualified to attend its AGM. The suit was an individual against individual, which has no connection with IPMAN. IPMAN is not a party to the suit,” he said.
He said it was expected that some newspapers ought to have relied on verified document before entertaining such publication, adding that the publication was meant to drag IPMAN name in the mud.
He said while IPMAN recognizes the right of individual to seek redress in the court of law on any matter, this fundamental human right should not be abused by individuals.
