SAN FRANCISCO, August 29, (THEWILL) – Peace has returned to the Warri, Delta State chapter of the Independent Marketers Branch (IMB) of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Worker (NUPENG) as new executives of the association have been elected.
It would be recalled that the association had been thrown into crisis following the attempt by some forces within the union to manipulate the election into the new executive committee.
But a fresh election was conducted at the Da Civic Centre in Benin, the Edo State capital after the intervention of the national leadership of NUPENG. Some youths from Ekpan community had allegedly threatened to disrupt the exercise originally scheduled to old in Warri if certain positions were not reserved for their kinsmen against the constitution of NUPENG.
Announcing the results of the election held under heavy security, the returning officer of the election who also doubled as the Deputy National Secretary of NUPENG ( Operations), Comrade Joseph Ogbebor, said out of the 771 delegates for the election, 495 were accredited to vote after a thorough accreditation exercise.
Ogbebor was flanked at the occasion by Comrade Johnbull Asemota, Deputy National President of NUPENG, Comrade Chris Okaegben, Chairman of Edo State Petroleum Monitoring Committee, who represented Governor Adams Oshiomhole, NUPENG zonal Treasurer, Alhaji Bello Aliero, zonal Vice Chairman of NUPENG (PH Zone) and 2nd Deputy Chairman of IMB of NUPENG, Comrade Electo Charles, as well as Comrade Thompson Ogbodo, National Chairman IMB Branch of NUPENG.
He expressed satisfaction that the peaceful manner in which the election was conducted, saying it is an indication that Nigeria electoral system can be better someday.
In the election, Comrade Benjamin Ifeta emerged as Chairman of the IMB Warri unit with 148 votes as he beat Comrade Peter Oghomienor who got 10 votes .
Comrade Rex Mobaghan was returned as the vice chairman unopposed while Comrade Harrison Ojugbeli got 316 votes to emerge Secretary after beating Comrade Jonathan Okwokei who got 114 votes and Comrade Chuks Nwokolo who got 18 votes.
Matthew Ogwala who got 259 votes to beat Stanley Itegbere who got 166 votes was elected the Assistant Secretary as John Bayo pulled 252 votes to emerge the Treasurer after beating Stephen Ayejamofo who got 82 votes and Yusuf Kazeem who got 76 votes. Lugard Agege got 224 votes to emerge Financial Secretary after beating Festus Obomeile who got 113 votes and Adamu Isenalumhe who got 89 votes and Darlington Izevbigie who got 35 votes.
Isaac Omokoro who got 363 votes after beating Benedict Agwaren who got 28 votes and Eviemere Avierokego who got 45 votes emerged the Public Relation Officer while Mangodo Emuejevoke got 227 votes to emerge as Auditor, beating Joseph Agboro who got 200 votes.
The position of WelfareOfficer (female) went to Esther Ekperusi who got 240 votes after beating Peace Ayeobore who got 106 votes and Okhueleigbe Momoh who got 67 votes. The position of Chief Whip went to Famous Omokoro and Esther Eroutteh who were returned unopposed while that Welfare (male) went to Okpaku Azubuike Jude who was also returned unopposed.
NUPENG had earlier threatened to call its members in Delta State to embark on a strike over attempt by some elements in Ekpan community, Uvwie Local Government Area to subvert the constitution of the Independent Marketers Branch of NUPENG, Warri Unit.
In a petition sent to the Delta State governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, dated 16 August, NUPENG Deputy Secretary General (operations), Comrade Ogbebor, alleged that a group of persons in Ekpan community was trying to usurp the constitution of the union which allowed for a free and fair election over selection or appointment of candidates to positions of authority in IMB branch of NUPENG.
A group of youths was also said to have invaded the union’s secretariat in Ekpan, threatening the chairmanship aspirants to withdraw over claims that the position is exclusively reserved for Ekpan community.
NUPENG in its petition stated that the constitution of the union clearly stipulated that membership of the union shall be open to all interested workers in the industry regardless of sex, religious beliefs, political belief or ethnicity and therefore wondered why the group from Ekpan, particularly the youths and their leaders were trying to foment trouble by attempting to bend the existing rules.
The petition held that ethnicity does not play any role in determining who led the union pointing out that all members of the union irrespective of tribe or linage are free to vote and be voted for at the election of the union in line with its constitution.
Declaring the action of the Ekpan community as unacceptable, NUPENG said its members would resist any attempt to hijack its union without fear or favour, saying ” No amount of threat will make us shy away from this responsibility.”
“We are therefore demanding that they should be called to order as we are determined to conduct the election in line with our constitution. All qualified candidates will be given equal opportunity and a level playing field to participate in the forthcoming election…, ” the union stated.
In another petition dated August 14, signed by Comrade Ben Nwanze for IMB of NUPENG to the Senior Special Assistant on Security Matter to the governor, Hon Asupa Forteta, NUPENG accused the caretaker Committee Chairman of Uvwie Local Government of being the arrow head of the plot to subvert the union’s constitution with the intention of hijacking the affairs of the union.
While calling of the State Government to immediately intervene in order to forestall a break down of law and order as well as loss of lives and properties in the area, the union maintained that its members would resist vehemently any attempt to impose a leader on them.
About the Author
