Yobe IPAC Removes Chairman, Secretary Over Alleged Diversion of Palliatives

The decision was announced in a statement issued after an emergency meeting of the council held on Thursday at its secretariat along Potiskum Road, Damaturu.

Jajere is a member of the Action Peoples Party (APP), while Gado belongs to the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

Following their removal, the council 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.

According to the statement, the decision followed complaints from members over alleged poor leadership and disregard for collective decision-making.

The former 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 alleged that the duo mismanaged the council’s resources and used the name and image of IPAC in ways that damaged its reputation.

One of the major grievances raised against the former leadership was the alleged diversion of quarterly palliatives provided by the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), government agencies and non-governmental organisations.

The council claimed that the interventions meant for member political parties were neither disclosed nor distributed to them, but were allegedly diverted for the personal benefit of the former officials.

IPAC said the alleged actions had eroded members’ confidence in the leadership, making their continued stay in office undesirable.

The council consequently directed Jajere and Gado to stop presenting themselves as its chairman and secretary, refrain from conducting any business on its behalf and hand over all official documents, records and properties in their possession.

It stated that the newly appointed acting officers would oversee the affairs of the council pending fresh elections in accordance with the provisions of the IPAC constitution.

Speaking on behalf of the council, Acting Chairman Mukhtar Audu Hassan promised an open, transparent, inclusive and accountable administration.

He urged political parties in the state to remain united, peaceful and law-abiding while supporting the new leadership in repositioning the council.

Similarly, Acting Secretary Habiba Umaru pledged to work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yobe State Government, security agencies, the media and development partners to promote peaceful political activities, credible elections and democratic governance.

The council called on the IPAC national secretariat, INEC, the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders to recognise the newly appointed acting officials.

The allegations against the removed chairman and secretary were contained in the council’s statement. No response from either of the former officials was included in the announcement.