Yobe IPAC Leaders Reject Impeachment

The leadership crisis in the Yobe State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has deepened as the State Chairman, Umar Adamu Jajere, and Secretary-General, Mustapha Gado, rejected their purported impeachment. In a statement, they described the action as null and void, insisting that they remain the recognised leaders of the council. This development raises questions over the leadership and internal administration of IPAC in the state, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.

According to the statement signed by Jajere and Gado, the purported impeachment violated several provisions of the IPAC Code of Conduct (2019). The council identified four grounds for rejecting the action, including the lack of quorum at the meeting where the impeachment was announced. The meeting did not have 50 per cent of the membership of either the State Executive Council or the State Assembly, as required under the Code.

The council also alleged that individuals who were not validly nominated in writing by their respective political party state chairmen participated and voted at the meeting. This, they claimed, was contrary to Sections 4.2(a) and 15 of the Code. Furthermore, they argued that the meeting was not properly convened, with no written request signed by two-thirds of members and no seven-day notice given to the chairman.

The officials also pointed out that no complaint was submitted to the Disciplinary Committee or the Political Parties Alternative Dispute Resolution (PPADR) Committee, and no investigation was conducted before the purported impeachment. IPAC warned that anyone parading himself as an IPAC official in Yobe State on the basis of the purported impeachment was doing so without lawful authority.

The council threatened disciplinary action, including suspension, against members who participated in the exercise, accusing them of violating the council’s Code of Conduct. IPAC urged the Yobe State Government, the State Independent Electoral Commission (YOSIEC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other political stakeholders to recognise only Jajere and Gado as the legitimate state leadership.

The National Secretariat of the council has been notified of the development in line with Section 4.3 of the Code. The group that announced the purported impeachment has yet to react to the statement from Jajere and Gado. This development may have implications for the state’s political landscape, particularly as the 2027 general elections draw near.

The rejection of the impeachment by Jajere and Gado has set the stage for a potential showdown between the two factions of IPAC in Yobe State. The situation may require intervention from higher authorities to resolve the leadership crisis and ensure the smooth functioning of the council. The stakeholders are expected to take a position on the matter to avoid further complications in the state’s political arena.

Key points

• IPAC leaders reject impeachment, citing procedural irregularities.