By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
The internal squabble rocking the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Rivers State (RIVPA) for some time has finally burst in the open. Now, the association has suspended its chairman, Mike Chibuoso Iwezor, with immediate effect.
The decision was unanimously taken at a RIVPA emergency Congress meeting yesterday following the ratification of a report submitted to Congress as a result of a petition written against Mike Iwezor. Moreover, TPCN gathered that a vote of no confidence was passed on him by the executive members of the association after the submission of the report.
In a statement signed by its PRO, Senibo Benson Finebone on Friday and made available to the media, RIVPA explained that its former chairman’s suspension was informed his alleged gross violation of RIVPA’s constitution, illegal admission of persons into the association, administrative high-handedness, abuse of office, dereliction of duty, amongst others.
The statement reads in part: “Mr Mike Chibuoso Iwezor shall remain suspended pending the outcome of a five- man disciplinary committee’s investigation.”
Meanwhile, the RIVPA congress has appointed Mr Zeismer Ifeanyi Evans-Osi as the Acting chairman of the association.
TPCN has it on good authority that prior to his recent elevation, Ifeanyi, who is the son of Ikwerre-born late veteran journalist and founder of the Independent Monitor newspaper, Evans-Osi, was the vice chairman of RIVPA.
