Yobe IPAC Sacks Chairman, Secretary Over Alleged Palliatives Diversion

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe State has removed its chairman, Umaru Adamu Jajere, and Secretary, Mustapha Mohammed Gado, following a vote of no confidence passed on them over alleged mismanagement, lack of transparency and failure to carry member political parties along.

The decision was reached at an emergency meeting of the council held yesterday in Damaturu, where members also 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.

In a statement signed by the newly appointed acting officials, IPAC said the decision followed concerns raised by members over unilateral decisions, failure to convene regular meetings and lack of accountability in the management of the council’s affairs.

The council also accused the former leadership of allegedly using IPAC’s name to receive quarterly palliatives from the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) and other organisations without the knowledge or benefit of member political parties.

It said the alleged actions had undermined members’ confidence in the leadership and made their continued stay in office undesirable.

IPAC directed the removed officials to hand over all official documents, records and properties belonging to the council to the appropriate authority.

The acting leadership said it would ensure transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in the council’s operations pending the conduct of fresh elections in accordance with IPAC’s constitution.

It also called on the national secretariat of IPAC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Yobe State Government and other stakeholders to recognise the newly appointed officials.