By Ita Williams, Calabar
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River State Chapter, has announced the indefinite suspension of its Chairman, Mr. Edet Effiom, posing a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
A press statement dated August 5, 2024 and signed by IPAC Secretary, Comrade Frederick Eje Omari, said the suspension of the chairman , “is as a result of numerous complaints regarding his high-handedness, lack of consultation, infantile leadership qualities, poor communication skills, and utter lack of capacity”.
The IPAC council accused him of running the organization as “a sole administrator, in direct violation of the IPAC Code of Conduct”.
The statement said the decision to suspend Effiom was taken by all the political parties affiliated with IPAC, who unanimously endorsed his indefinite suspension and “as a result, Rev Omaleko Efut of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has been appointed as the Acting Chairman, with immediate effect”.
The statement further stated that one of the main objectives of the suspension is to reposition IPAC and enable it to fulfil its critical advisory role to the government, particularly during this crucial time when the country and its sub nationals are facing significant challenges.
“The decision to suspend the Chairman indefinitely is due largely to the fact that since his election to this hallowed position, Mr. Edet Effiom has demonstrated unaccustomed high handedness, lack of consultation, infantile leadership qualities, poor communication skills, and utter lack of capacity. In short, he runs an elegant political infrastructure as a sole administrator contrary to our IPAC Code of Conduct”, the statement said.
Thus, “in the light of the aforementioned anomalies, the undersigned political parties have unanimously endorsed his indefinite suspension as IPAC Chairman and have therefore charged the Deputy Chairman, Rev Omaleko Efut of APGA to take charge in acting capacity with immediate effect.
“We have equally resolved to reposition IPAC to play her usual critical advisory role to the government, especially at this time, that the country and its subnationals are at a crossroads” the statement stated.
This move by IPAC comes as a response to the growing discontent among its members and the need for a more inclusive and consultative leadership. Effiom’s suspension aims to restore a culture of collaboration and consultation within the organization, ensuring that all member parties have a voice in decision-making processes.
