EXCLUSIVE: Why C'River IPAC Chairman Was Suspended
Ndifereke BASSEY
Fresh facts have emerged on why the Cross River State Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairman, Edet Effiom, was suspended.
Investigations by THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that Effiom has not only been romancing with the state government but has also betrayed the association by scuttling inter-party moves to join the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance.
Sources close to the Secretariat confided in our correspondent that Effiom in collaboration with the SA on Inter-Party Affairs has allegedly blocked them from having access to Governor Bassey Otu since January this year.
The bubble was said to have burst on Tuesday last week ahead of the planned nationwide protest when some IPAC members went to notify the Commissioner of Police of their intention to participate in the protest.
While they were still with the state police command at Diamond Dill, the chairman, Edet Effiom, went behind and issued a statement dissociating IPAC from the protest, thereby frustrating the association and scuttling their plans.
Recall the suspended Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman in Cross River State Engr. Effiom has on Wednesday, called on political parties in the state to stay off the nationwide protest or any form of protest.
The IPAC Chairman, who made the call at the office of the SA Inter-Party Affairs on July 26, 2024, expressed empathy towards the state of the nation’s economy.
The above statement did not go down well with IPAC members, leading to disharmony and disunity among members. Piqued by this, the members of the council moved on Monday and suspended Mr Edet Effiom from office.
His indefinite suspension was announced in a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.
According to the statement, Effiom's suspension was effected following a vote of no confidence notice against him duly signed by 15 members of the council.
He was accused of running the council as a sole administrator contrary to its Code of Conduct.
Effiom was further alleged to have demonstrated "infantile high-handedness, lack of consultation, poor leadership qualities, poor communication skills, and lack of capacity. "In the light of the aforementioned anomalies, the undersigned political parties have unanimously endorsed his indefinite suspension as IPAC Chairman.
"We 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 sub-nationals are at a crossroads," it stated.
Reacting to the development, Engr Edet Effiom, said: "I am aware of the suspension. But have nothing to say for now.
Maybe later I would respond."
