By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Stakeholders o the Cross River State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has announced the removal from office of it’s chairman, Comrade Anthony Bissong Attah, for alledged anti-party activities.
The stakeholders also claimed that Attah’s removal as IPAC Chairman followed his suspension from office as Chairman of the Youths Progressives Party, YPP.
Speaking on the issue, in the presence of some IPAC stakeholders, led by IPAC’s new secretary, Comrade Henry Iso, averred that Attah’s removal took effect form Wednesday, February 9, 2023.
They alledged that the stakeholders found Attah wanting based on his recent engagment in clandestine meetings as well as secretly collecting money from the All Progressives’ Congress, APC, to systematically emasculate the YPP in the state.
Comrade Iso said, “Recently, he signed for and collected the sum of N3.5 million for this purpose. He has become more of APC than YPP, this is unacceptable and is a negation of the constitution of our great party.
“Bissong has derailed the focus of our party, thus plunging us to ridicule, shame and mockery.”
Announcing that the stakeholders have passed a vote of confidence on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as the Cross River State Police Command, to allow for peaceful and credible conduct of general elections.
IPAC stakeholders also accused Attah of high handedness, stressing that Attah’s actions of late has not been in conformity with the ideals of IPAC.
“He is bossy over all State Working Committee, SWC, members and even key party stakeholders, such that his actions has caused us a lot of embarrassment.”
Iso stated that Attah’s sack from office as IPAC chairman followed his suspension from office as state chairman of the YPP.
He continued, “We have confidence in the INEC, because the last time we checked, we noticed that the BVAS initiative will add more credibility to our electoral process.
“We also have confidence in our various security agencies, who put their lives on the line to safeguard our lives and property.”
Speaking shortly after been announced as new IPAC chairman in Cross River State, Chief Ndabo Edet Okon, commended the stakeholders for finding him worthy to serve in the capacity of new IPAC chairman.
He said, “This is a new dawn in the leadership of IPAC. My emergence became necessary following the suspension of former IPAC state chairman, Mr. Anthony Bissong Attah, who had been suspended by his party.
“The leadership of IPAC met and considered it expedient to elect me as their new leader after Attah was suspended from office by the YPP and IPAC found him wanting.”
But reacting to his sack in a telephone conversation, Attah said that announcement of his removal was laughable and ridiculous, charging journalists not to give recognition to any one but to disregard the claim.
He said, “I remain the authentic and certified IPAC chairman in the state; reason is that I didn’t come on board via any of these kangaroo platform.
“I don’t know who these people masquading as IPAC stakeholders. Where did they conduct elections to install themselves as IPAC officials. Time will tell. Does INEC know them as IPAC officials. I know where all this is coming from.”
