The national secretariat of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Monday evening elected the National Chairman of Allied People’s Movement (APM), Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, as its new national chairman.
Dantalle, who until Monday’s elections was the national secretary of IPAC, defeated the National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Engr Yabagi Sani, who is also the outgoing IPAC national chairman by two votes.
While Dantalle who won garnered 10 votes, Sani recorded eight votes while one vote was voided.
He would be in the office for two-year tenure and is eligible to seek re-election once, according to IPAC Constitution.
Egypt’s President wins third term
Barau moves to halt Shoprite’s exit from Kano
Daily Trust reports that Engr Sani on 15 December 2021, defeated incumbent Chief Leonard Nzenwa, who was the national Chairman of African Action Congress (AAC), gunning for a second term like him.
The Chairman of the electoral committee of IPAC and national chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, while declaring the results of the election held at the National Secretariat of the ZLP in Abuja also said that date of swearing-in would be announced in a later date.
The council on Tuesday was enmeshed in leadership crisis as the council’s general assembly meeting ended in deadlock m over alleged tenure elongation of the outgoing national leadership of the council.
The meeting held at the party national secretariat in Abuja, went into a rowdy session when some of the council members started shouting at one another, saying ‘IPAC is a scam’, ‘we cannot take it’, IPAC Chairman is a stooge of the ruling party.
Speaking amidst the melee, Dantalle had accused the outgoing IPAC National Chairman, Engr Sani of attempt to extend through the back door, his two year tenure which ended on Tuesday midnight.
Also speaking then, the National Chairman, Young Progressives Party (YPP), Mr Bishop Amakiri, said though there were no faction in IPAC, the wrong thing must be corrected.
“We want to correct certain abnormalities that are going on in Nigeria. As the umbrella body of all political parties in Nigeria we feel that sanity should begin from IPAC.
Responding to the crisis, Engr Sani denied the allegation of tenure elongation.
He said that though the tenure of his executive expired by the midnight, the general assembly meeting attended by representatives of all the political parties passed a resolution that they should continue till December 18.
He said that the decision was to allow the council conclude the centenary celebration of political parties formation in the country scheduled for December 13.
He said that IPAC had already appointed an electoral committee headed by the National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwayanwu to conduct an election on Monday December 18.
Chief Nwanyanwu, had said that only two positions of assistant national secretary and national Publicity Secretary were not be part of the election, as their elections came under ‘off-season’ and are yet to complete their two-year tenure.
Addressing the media shortly after his election, Dantalle thanks members bof IPAC for trusting him to lead the council.
He pleaged to discharge his responsibility with the law guiding the council while working with all party leaders.
He sought the collaboration of all polity leaders, pledging to also work with the women.
“I want to assure women that IPAC under my leadership will have something greater and better.
“If I have the mandate of the assembly I will seek to establish the directorate of women affairs to ensure women inclusivity is taking to a greater level under my leadership.
“Secondly, I want to try as such as possible within the next three months of our administration to ensure that IPAC is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),” Dantalle said.
He also sought the forgiveness of anyone he might have offended in the cause of the electionering.
On his part, Sani congratulated Dantalle for emerging victorious, saying democracy has come to play.
“We are supposed to demonstrate maturity and humility. We are supposed to demonstrate love for our democracy.
“This is one of the things that defines democracy from any other form of government, which is having elections.
“Results have shown that Dantalle eventually won the election I have congratulated him already. I wish that in the years to come I will have reasons to be proud of whatever he does to take IPAC to the higher level than we met it,” he said.
Also elected were Dipo Olayoku as Deputy National Chairman (unopposed); Martins Egbeola, National Organizing Secretary; Maxwell Magbuden, National Secretary; Obed Agu, National legal Adviser; Mariam Babel, National Treasurer, and Ibrahim Suleiman, National Financial Secretary.
