IPMAN, which has over 30,000 filling stations and control over 60 per cent of retail outlets across the nation, has been embroidered in a leadership tussle since last year. A committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday recommended that Chief Lawson Obasi be recognized by the government as the authentic IPMAN president.
Obasi, in his acceptance speech yesterday in Abuja, called on all members of the association to embrace the step taken by the government to bring peace to move the association forward.
He said the hardship Nigerians went through was as a result of the leadership crisis that engulfed the association.
“We were not getting our products as and when due, we were not sharing our product as we were supposed to. The products that are supposed to come to us moved to major marketers and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA), they are products that were supposed to come to IPMAN.”
Asked if the government intervention in installing him as president was not in breach of court process, Obasi said “No…it is not in breach of court process, it has nothing to do with that. The faction that are parading themselves are not even in court…the president of IPMAN as at today is Chief Obasi Lawson and should be allowed to operate”
