Leadership Dispute Escalates Within Yobe State IPAC

The leadership stability of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe State has been called into question following a contentious attempt to remove its top officials. According to a report by Daily Post Nigeria, the embattled Chairman, Umar Adamu Jajere, and Secretary-General, Mustapha Gado, have formally rejected their reported impeachment, asserting that they remain the legitimate leaders of the council.

Disputed Procedural Grounds

In a joint statement released on Saturday, Jajere and Gado argued that the move to oust them lacks legal standing. They contend that the meeting where the impeachment decision was reached failed to adhere to the IPAC Code of Conduct (2019). Specifically, the officials raised the following objections:

• Lack of Quorum: The duo claims that the gathering did not meet the attendance requirements stipulated in Sections 8(ii) and 8(iv) of the Code, which mandate that at least half of the State Executive Council and State Assembly members must be present.
• Accreditation Issues: They alleged that participants in the vote were not duly accredited and lacked the necessary written nominations from their respective state party chairmen, as required by Sections 4.2(a) and 15.
• Notice Requirements: The officials stated that the meeting was not convened via a written request endorsed by two-thirds of the members, and that the chairman was not provided with the seven-day notice period mandated by Section 8(vii).

Allegations of Due Process Violations

Beyond the procedural technicalities of the meeting, Jajere and Gado emphasized that the disciplinary process itself was flawed. They noted that no formal petition was submitted to the Disciplinary Committee or the Political Parties Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Furthermore, they asserted that no investigation was conducted prior to the announcement of their removal, which they argue undermines the legitimacy of the entire exercise.

Calls for Recognition

The officials have warned that any individuals claiming to hold office as a result of the contested meeting lack lawful authority. They have also cautioned that members who participated in the proceedings could face disciplinary action, including potential suspension, for violating council rules. Jajere and Gado have appealed to the Yobe State Government, the Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize only their leadership.

The duo confirmed that they have formally notified the national headquarters of IPAC regarding the situation, in accordance with Section 4.3 of the Code of Conduct. As of the time of the report, the faction responsible for announcing the removal of the chairman and secretary had not issued a public response.

Context of the Dispute

This internal conflict surfaces as political stakeholders in Yobe State begin to prepare for the 2027 general elections. The Inter-Party Advisory Council serves as a critical platform for registered political parties to engage with electoral bodies and the government. Consequently, leadership disputes within the council can have significant implications for inter-party cooperation and electoral administration. As the situation remains fluid, stakeholders are waiting for further clarification from national authorities regarding the validity of the competing leadership claims.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

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