The Yobe State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has sacked its chairman, Umaru Adamu Jajere, and secretary, Mustapha Mohammed Gado, after passing a vote of no confidence on them.
Jajere is a member of the Action Peoples Party, APP, while Gado belongs to the Action Democratic Party, ADP.
The council announced the removal in a statement issued after an emergency meeting held on Thursday at its secretariat along Potiskum Road, Damaturu.
In their place, the council has 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 decision followed complaints by members over alleged poor leadership and disregard for collective decision-making,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the sacked officials were accused of running the council without transparency, taking unilateral decisions without consulting member parties, and failing to convene regular executive and general assembly meetings.
“Members also accused them of mismanaging council resources and using the name and image of IPAC in ways that damaged its reputation.
“A major grievance cited was the alleged diversion of quarterly palliatives from the North East Development Commission, NEDC, government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
“The council alleged that the interventions meant for members were not disclosed and were instead diverted for personal benefit,” it added.
It also said the development has eroded trust in the former leadership, adding that their continued stay in office was no longer in the best interest of the council.
The council directed the former chairman and secretary to stop parading themselves as officers of IPAC, refrain from conducting any business on its behalf, and hand over all official documents, records and properties in their custody.
“The acting officers are to run the affairs of the council pending the conduct of fresh elections in line with the provisions of the IPAC constitution,” the council ordered.
The acting chairman, Mukhtar Audu Hassan, promised an open, transparent, inclusive and accountable leadership.
He urged political parties in the state to remain united, peaceful and law-abiding and to support the new leadership in repositioning the council.
On her part, the acting secretary, Habiba Umaru, pledged to work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Yobe State Government, security agencies, the media and development partners to promote peaceful politics, credible elections and democratic governance.
The council called on the IPAC national secretariat, INEC, the Yobe State Government, security agencies and other stakeholders to recognise the new acting officers.