Abia IPAC crisis deepens, as two party chairmen suspended
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Following the crisis of confidence rocking Abia State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), two party chairmen have been slammed with a six-month suspension.
Those suspended are the State Assistant IPAC Chairman, Mr Victor Umunna of APM and Assistant Secretary, Mr Joseph Ulu of NRM. They are the state party chairmen of their parties.
The duo had accused the state functionaries, including the state chairman, Ceekay Igara, the Secretary, Hon. Tony C. Ojih, the Publicity Secretary IPAC, Engr Uma Ogbonnaya, the Publicity Secretary, Engr Uma Ogbonnaya, and Organizing Secretary IPAC Abia State.
Hon. Nwoko Uzodinma, among other members of the state executive council.
The duo accused the alleged suspended officials of high-handedness, financial malfeasance and other sundry offences, including hobnobbing with the present Peoples democratic Party-led administration in the state.
However, in a swift reaction, the affected officials announced the suspension of the duo from the fold.
In a Press statement made available to The Oracle Today, the officials said they have been informed of their purported removal from office and turned around to suspend the Assistant chairman and Assistant Secretary.
“We have been informed of a purported impeachment of the State Chairman of IPAC Abia State, Hon. Ceekay Igara, by persons who claim to be IPAC members.
IPAC is not in opposition to the Governor and Abia State Government rather it relates with the Governor on advisory capacity which we have been doing up until today.
“We therefore state categorically that Hon Ceekay Igara is still and will be discharging his duties that he was elected to do until his tenure expires,” the statement read in part.
The officials, therefore, announced the suspension of the duo: Mr Victor Umunna and Mr Joseph Ulu, for six months for alleged “activities and actions inimical to the development of Abia State.”
According to the statement endorsed by the State Secretary, Publicity Secretary, and Organizing Secretary, accused the suspended officials of working with people suspected to be working against the interest of the state.
“We place on record all their activities with elements in the state who don’t see anything good with our State Government and are opposed to good conscience and reasoning.
“We therefore put all governmental machineries on notice, The Nigeria Police, The Director of State Services, INEC, IPAC National and the general public,” the statement added.
Investigations by The Oracle Today revealed that the suspended State IPAC Assistant Chairman and Assistant Secretary were given six months to enable them regularize their emergence as the chairmen of the respective parties in Abia.
A top source who spoke with The Oracle Today on the development, said it was hazy how the duo emerged, whether by appointment or through a congress. Once they clarify this issue, they will be re-admitted,” the source said.
