The Peter Ameh-led Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) executive has declared despite their parties being affected by last week’s party de-registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it is still fully in charge of the leadership of the council.
In a statement Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ademola Babatunde Abidemi, described as ‘gross misconduct and infraction on the IPAC Code of Conduct’, for seven members of the council to declare themselves as the interim executives of the council.
Reacting to the de-registration of 74 political parties by the INEC, and the declaration of some of its members, the Ameh-led faction said: “The council also observed that about 7 members of the council gathered to declare themselves as the interim executives of the council.
“This act is a total gross misconduct and infraction on the IPAC code of conduct, it should be noted that the 74 political parties that were purported to have been de-registered have been in court and the court will rule on the issues on the 17th of February, 2020.
“It is rather unfortunate that some political party leaders will hurriedly join INEC in this tussle to rob Nigerians of our fundamental rights to freedom of association as it is enshrined in the Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
“The council has its guiding principles as it is very clear in the Article 5 of the IPAC code of conduct, the conditions in which executives can be removed from office, none of the actions of these 7 desperate men purported interim committee can be found in the IPAC code of conduct.
Further, it urged members of the public to disregard whatever pronouncements were made as well as inform all state executives to maintain status quo until the case in court is over.
The statement insisted that the council remains under the leadership of High Chief Peter Ameh.
“The council will not join issues with INEC as the council knows that the evidence are before the court of competent jurisdiction. We are sure of justice and we encourage all states executives to keep the fight to defend of our democracy on. “It’s worth sacrificing for.
“The council will not allow any form of attack on the will given to Nigerians to associate as it is enshrined in the Section 221 and Section 222 of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
“There is no cause for alarm as the body of political parties remains firm and cannot be deterred by any act of insubordination or political desperation.”
