Yobe IPAC removes chairman and secretary amid no‑confidence vote

Yobe IPAC dismisses top officers

On 5 November 2026, the Inter‑Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Yobe State held an emergency meeting at its secretariat on Potiskum Road in Damaturu. Members of the body rejected the leadership of APP member Umaru Adamu Jajere, who served as Chairman, and ADP member Mustapha Mohammed Gado, who held the Secretary position. Both officers were removed from office and directed to cease representing IPAC.

APGA member Mukhtar Audu Hassan was named the interim head, while YPP member Habiba Umaru was selected to serve as the temporary secretary. These designations took effect right away and are intended to last until new leadership contests are conducted following the rules set out in IPAC’s governing document.

Background

IPAC is a body that brings together political parties in Yobe State to promote collective decision‑making and democratic governance. The council’s decision followed complaints from member parties about what it described as poor leadership, lack of transparency, unilateral decision‑making and failure to hold regular executive and general assembly meetings. Furthermore, the group accused the ousted officials of mishandling funds and exploiting the organization's identity to secure regular aid from the North East Development Commission (NEDC) along with various state and private entities for their own gain.

The statement issued after the meeting highlighted that the former officers had not consulted member parties on important decisions and had not convened the required meetings. It also raised concerns over the alleged diversion of resources and misuse of IPAC’s reputation.

Why it matters

The removal of the chairman and secretary signals a significant shift in the governance of IPAC. The council’s actions aim to restore transparency, inclusiveness and accountability within the organisation. The interim officials have committed to collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yobe State authorities, law enforcement bodies, and press outlets to foster non-violent political engagement, trustworthy voting processes, and democratic administration. The assembly has urged IPAC’s national headquarters, INEC, state officials, security forces, and other relevant parties to acknowledge the legitimacy of the newly appointed interim officers.

The decision also reflects broader concerns about political party coordination and the management of resources in the North‑East region. By addressing alleged mismanagement and unilateral decision‑making, IPAC seeks to strengthen its role as a platform for collective political action.

What happens next

IPAC will hold fresh elections to fill the chairman and secretary positions in line with its constitution. Until then, the acting officers will oversee the council’s affairs. The council has requested that national and state authorities, as well as other stakeholders, recognise the new acting leadership and support its efforts to promote transparent and inclusive governance.