IPAC crisis deepens as Ameh drags INEC to court

The crisis rocking the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has deepened as the factional chairman of the body, Mr. Peter Ameh has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his rival, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim to court over the disputed July 24th election of the body.

IPAC has been enmeshed in crisis following the controversial chairmanship election of the body, where Bashir was returned as the chairman.

Bashir’s election was reportedly endorsed by INEC, but that did not go down well with some members as they alleged that the chairman of the Electoral Committee, Senator Lawal Shuaibu manipulated the outcome to favour Bashir.

Ameh, who reportedly won a rerun conducted on August 25 had approached the Abuja High Court praying among others, that the said election that produced him as the National Chairman of IPAC, which according to him was in accordance with the Political Parties Code of Conduct, 2013 as well as the 1999 Constitution (as amended) be recognized as the authentic election.

The plaintiff also sought for an Order of Injunction restraining the first defendant, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim from parading himself as the National Chairman of IPAC.

According to Ameh, the IPAC general body had set up an Electoral Committee headed by one Hajia Hafsaf Baba but on the day of election, Senator Lawal Shuaibu who is the Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly imposed himself as the chairman of the Electoral Committee with the connivance of INEC.

The case has been slated for hearing on November 27.