Bayelsa poll: 39 political parties suspend IPAC chairman for allegedly accepting Dickson’s appointment

The general council of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Bayelsa State Chapter, yesterday, suspended its chairman, Mr. Eneyi Zidongha, for allegedly accepting an appointment in the Hon. Seriake Dickson-led administration, saying his act amounts to infraction against the code of conduct of the organisation.

Reading a statement signed by 39 political parties at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Center in Yenagoa, Hon. William Ifidi, further said the chairman is being suspended for using the name of the organisation to endorse the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the just concluded local government council elections on 12th August, 2019.

According to Hon. Ifidi, the chairman of All Blended Party, Zidongha also allegedly issued a press statement on behalf of the group saying that the election was free, fair and credible while they felt the said election was marred with irregularities.

Explaining further he said that contrary to section 5 (ii) and (iii) of the code of conduct of the organization, Mr. Eneyi Zidongha received a political appointment as Special Adviser to the governor of Bayelsa State while still in office as the elected chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council.

“And in spite of several calls to bring him to order, Zidongha refused to honourably report himself to the Council over his appointment which contravenes section 4.3 of our code of conduct. He also flagrantly violated the provision the rules of the Council for failing to call a monthly meeting to enable council members to air their opinion.

“For occupying multiple appointments and assignments as an IPAC chairman, a gubernatorial candidate in the November 16th, 2019 election, a senior special assistant in the PDP government and applying to contest for chairmanship in the forthcoming IPAC election, Zidongha is hereby indefinitely suspended with immediate effect.”

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Reacting to the development, Zidongha in a statement claimed that his suspension is being sponsored by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are angered by the fact that his personality threatens the chances of their candidate, Chief David Lyon.

Parts of the statements read “information reaching me from a meeting held yesterday 31/10/19 evening by 5pm at Hon Dikivie Ikiogha residence an APC chieftain in Bayelsa State where about 28 chairmen/governorship candidates gathered to plan for my impeachment as Bayelsa State IPAC chairman.

“This move is been sponsored by Hon Stephen Diver a former SA to Governor Dickson who resigned and decamped to APC.

“I wish to state here,that only on a congress for any reason can such issue or decision can be raised. Any gathering of political party chairmen in someone’s apartment or in a hotel does not have any constitutional backing ,except a meeting called by me or the secretary of IPAC on my directive at IPAC Secretariat.

“It is important to note that my election into office took place on the 13th of November 2018 which still subsist until the present executive of IPAC will be dissolve and a fresh election conducted by the national body of IPAC.

“My co-state IPAC Chairman are still occupying their offices as State Chairmen. Someone should please tell Hon. Stephen Diver that, I am not parading myself but performing my constitutional right to continue in my office as IPAC Chairman until fresh elections are conducted for a change of leadership.

“Another meeting planned for 2 pm today masterminded by Hon. Stephen Diver pushing for my impeachment as IPAC chairman for their selfish reasons.

“From the provisions of the reviewed IPAC Code of Conduct 2019, Section B (viii) and D (11) only the National Disciplinary Committee recommendation subject to NEC approval that reserves the power to sanction or remove any State Executive of IPAC.”