The Inter-Party Advisory Council in Yobe State has removed its Chairman, Umaru Jajere, and Secretary, Mustapha Gado, over allegations of mismanagement, lack of transparency and unilateral decision-making.
The council announced their removal in a statement signed by its Acting Secretary, Habiba Umaru, following an emergency meeting held on Thursday at its secretariat along Potiskum Road, Damaturu.
It said the decision followed a vote of no confidence in the two officers, who were accused of failing to consult member political parties on important decisions and neglecting regular meetings of the council’s executive and general assembly.
The council also alleged that the former leaders used its name to receive quarterly palliatives from the North-East Development Commission and other government and non-governmental organisations for their personal benefit without the knowledge or involvement of member parties.
“Most worrisome to members was the use of the name of IPAC to receive quarterly palliatives from the North East Development Commission, other government and non-governmental organisations, allegedly for the personal benefit of the leadership, without the knowledge or benefit of member political parties,” the statement said.
Jajere belongs to the Action Peoples Party, while Gado is a member of the Action Democratic Party.
The council further accused them of failing to carry member parties along in its administration, mismanaging its resources and using its name and reputation without proper authorisation.
Following their removal, IPAC directed the former officers to stop representing the council in their previous capacities and hand over all official documents, records and properties in their possession.
The council appointed Mukhtar Audu Hassan of the All Progressives Congress as acting chairman and Umaru of the Young Progressives Party as acting secretary.
It said the appointments took immediate effect and would remain in place pending further directives and fresh elections in line with the council’s constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Hassan pledged that the new leadership would promote transparency, inclusiveness and accountability.
He urged member parties to remain united and support the new administration.
Umaru also pledged that the council would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Yobe State Government, security agencies and the media to promote peaceful political activities and credible elections.
IPAC called on its national secretariat, INEC, the state government, security agencies and the NEDC to recognise the new acting leadership.
It also urged stakeholders to disregard anyone claiming to occupy the positions of chairman and secretary of the state chapter outside the newly appointed leadership.
