Yobe IPAC removes chairman, secretary, appoints caretaker leadership
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe has removed its Chairman, Umaru Adamu Jajere, and Secretary, Mustapha Mohammed Gado, following a vote of no confidence passed against them over alleged misconduct and lack of accountability.
The council subsequently appointed Mukhtar Audu Hassan of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as Acting Chairman and Habiba Umaru of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) as Acting Secretary.
The decisions were taken at an emergency meeting held on Thursday at the council’s secretariat along Potiskum Road, Damaturu.
A statement issued after the meeting said the action followed concerns raised by members over the leadership’s handling of the council’s affairs.
Among the allegations against the removed officials were lack of transparency, failure to consult member political parties, unilateral decisions and failure to organise regular executive and general assembly meetings.
The council also accused the leadership of alleged mismanagement of its resources and misuse of the organisation’s name and reputation.
It further expressed concern over the alleged diversion of quarterly palliatives received through the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and other organisations for personal benefit, without the knowledge or involvement of member parties.
The meeting, according to the statement, was attended by representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), journalists and other stakeholders.
Following their removal, the council directed the former chairman and secretary to hand over all official documents, records and properties belonging to the organisation.
It said the newly appointed acting officials would manage the council’s affairs pending the conduct of fresh elections in line with its constitution.
In his reaction, Hassan pledged to promote transparency, inclusiveness and accountability, while ensuring that all member political parties were carried along in the council’s activities.
He urged political parties to remain united, peaceful and law-abiding, stressing the need to reposition IPAC for effective service.
Similarly, the Acting Secretary, Umaru, pledged to strengthen collaboration with INEC, the state government, security agencies, the media and development partners to promote peaceful political participation, credible elections and democratic governance.
The council also called on IPAC’s National Secretariat in Abuja, INEC, the Yobe Government, security agencies and other stakeholders to recognise the newly appointed acting leadership for official engagements.
It urged stakeholders to disregard any individuals parading themselves as chairman or secretary of the council in the state other than the appointed acting officials.
