Yobe IPAC Sacks Chairman and Secretary Over Alleged Diversion of Palliatives

The Yobe State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has removed its chairman, Umaru Adamu Jajere, and secretary, Mustapha Mohammed Gado, following allegations of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and the diversion of quarterly palliatives allegedly meant for member political parties.

The decision was reached during an emergency meeting held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the council’s secretariat along Potiskum Road in Damaturu.

The council announced that the two officials had lost the confidence of member political parties following complaints about their leadership and alleged failure to manage the organisation’s affairs transparently.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, members accused the former executives of making important decisions without consulting other political parties and failing to organise regular executive and general assembly meetings.

The most serious allegation concerned quarterly palliatives reportedly received through the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), government agencies and non-governmental organisations.

IPAC alleged that the former leadership used the council’s name to obtain the interventions but failed to disclose them to member parties or ensure that they benefited from the support.

The allegations have raised questions about accountability and the management of resources within the Yobe State political association.

Former Chairman and Secretary Removed

The officials affected by the decision are Umaru Adamu Jajere, who served as chairman, and Mustapha Mohammed Gado, who held the position of secretary.

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

IPAC said the decision followed complaints from members who were dissatisfied with the way the council was being administered.

According to the statement, the former leadership allegedly failed to maintain an inclusive administrative structure and did not adequately consult political parties on important matters affecting the organisation.

Members also accused the two officials of neglecting regular meetings that were expected to provide opportunities for discussions and collective decision-making.

The council maintained that the alleged actions had weakened confidence in the leadership and affected the organisation’s ability to represent the interests of its members.

Following deliberations, members reportedly passed a vote of no confidence against the chairman and secretary, leading to their removal.

Alleged Diversion of Quarterly Palliatives

One of the major issues highlighted during the emergency meeting was the alleged diversion of quarterly palliatives received from the North-East Development Commission and other organisations.

According to the council, the interventions were intended to benefit member political parties, but the former leadership allegedly received them without properly informing other members.

IPAC claimed that the resources were allegedly used for the personal benefit of the former executives rather than being distributed among the political parties.

The council described the matter as a major concern, arguing that the alleged lack of disclosure and accountability contributed significantly to the loss of confidence in the former leadership.

The North-East Development Commission is a federal development agency established to address development challenges affecting states in Nigeria’s North-East geopolitical zone.

Its activities include supporting development programmes and interventions intended to improve the welfare of communities across the region.

However, the allegations made by Yobe IPAC have not been independently established as a criminal finding. No publicly confirmed investigation outcome or response from the affected former officials was identified in the reports reviewed.

The accusations therefore remain claims made by the state chapter of the council.

IPAC Appoints New Acting Leadership

Following the removal of the former executives, the council announced the appointment of Mukhtar Audu Hassan as acting chairman and Habiba Umaru as acting secretary.

The appointments are expected to take immediate effect while the council prepares for fresh elections in accordance with the provisions of its constitution.

The new acting leadership will oversee the organisation’s affairs during the transition period.

The council also directed Jajere and Gado to immediately stop presenting themselves as its chairman and secretary.

They were further instructed to stop conducting official business on behalf of IPAC and hand over all documents, records and properties belonging to the organisation.

The directive is intended to ensure that the new leadership can assume responsibility for the council’s activities without further administrative disputes.

However, separate media reports have given differing descriptions of Mukhtar Audu Hassan’s political affiliation, with some identifying him as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and another report describing him as belonging to the APC. The affiliation requires clarification from the Yobe IPAC leadership.

New Acting Chairman Promises Transparency

Speaking after his appointment, the acting chairman, Mukhtar Audu Hassan, pledged that the new administration would operate an open, inclusive and accountable leadership structure.

He called on member political parties to remain united and support the acting leadership as it works to restore confidence in the council.

Hassan said the new administration would prioritise transparency and ensure that member parties were carried along in decisions affecting the organisation.

His comments come amid concerns over the management of resources and the level of participation allowed to political parties under the previous leadership.

The acting chairman’s commitment to accountability is expected to be an important part of the council’s efforts to rebuild trust among its members.

Acting Secretary Promises Cooperation With INEC

The newly appointed acting secretary, Habiba Umaru, also pledged to work with relevant institutions to promote peaceful political activities and strengthen democratic governance in Yobe State.

She identified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Yobe State Government, security agencies, the media and development partners as important stakeholders in the council’s activities.

According to her, the new leadership would encourage cooperation among political parties and support efforts aimed at promoting peaceful political participation and credible elections.

She also urged members to remain committed to the principles of unity, dialogue and democratic engagement.

The council believes that improved cooperation among political parties will help strengthen its role as an organisation representing different political interests in the state.

IPAC Seeks Recognition for New Leadership

Following the appointments, the Yobe State chapter of IPAC called on its national secretariat, INEC, the state government, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to recognise the newly appointed acting officers.

The council also urged stakeholders to disregard individuals claiming to occupy the positions of chairman and secretary outside the new acting leadership.

The request is intended to prevent confusion over who has the authority to represent the organisation during the transition period.

The council maintained that the new appointments would remain in place pending further directives and the conduct of fresh elections in accordance with its constitution.

Questions Over Accountability in Political Organisations

The leadership change has drawn attention to the importance of transparency and accountability within political organisations.

IPAC serves as a platform through which registered political parties can engage on issues affecting the country’s democratic process.

Its activities include promoting dialogue, encouraging cooperation among political parties and supporting peaceful electoral participation.

As an umbrella body representing different political interests, the organisation’s credibility depends partly on the confidence member parties have in its leadership and administrative processes.

The allegations involving quarterly palliatives have therefore become a major issue in the Yobe chapter’s internal leadership dispute.

For the affected political parties, the central concern is whether resources obtained in the name of the council were properly managed and whether members were given the opportunity to benefit from them.

The allegations also highlight the importance of maintaining proper records of financial support, distributions and decisions made on behalf of organisations.

As the new acting executives begin their responsibilities, attention will focus on how they manage the transition, restore confidence among member parties and prepare for fresh elections.

The former chairman and secretary have been directed to hand over the council’s official property and records, while the newly appointed leaders have promised a more transparent and inclusive administration.

Whether the leadership change will resolve the disagreements within the Yobe chapter will become clearer as the council moves towards its next election and continues its engagement with political stakeholders.