The Rivers State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Solsuema Osaro, has accused the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, of parading himself as the state chairman of IPAC, despite he and his executives being dissolved by the national body.
Osaro, who is also the state Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, said the executives of IPAC in Rivers State, headed by Akawor, were dissolved on March 10, 2023, following their adoption of a particular governorship candidate for the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the state.
The IPAC Chairman, in an interview with DAILY POST, noted that the action by Akawor and his executives goes against the IPAC code of conduct.
His comment follows Akawor’s recent visit to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, as the state IPAC Chairman.
“The executives of IPAC led by Akawor were dissolved on the 10th of March 2023, and the new executives were constituted on the 20th of July 2023.
“Presently, I am the state Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council, IPAC Rivers State Council.
“Prior to the general elections, the IPAC executives led by Ambassador Desmond Akawor violated the IPAC code of conduct by bringing in some state chairmen together and then unanimously adopting one governorship candidate.
“And that is against the rules of IPAC because there are various candidates contesting the election.
“Any act that undermines the code of conduct governing IPAC will always be met with such responses.
“So, the national executives of IPAC unanimously dissolved the Rivers State Inter-party Advisory Council Executives led by Ambassador Desmond Akawor,” he said.
The IPAC chairman said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies have been informed about the change of leadership, while Akawor’s recent visit to RSIEC as the IPAC chairman has also been communicated to the security agencies.
“It was a miscalculated attempt by Ambassador Desmond Akawor to mislead a section of the unknowing public.
“It is so annoying and provoking that a man of such caliber will condescend to portray himself in the light he is not.
“IPAC is an institution, it is not a party affair. He does not have any locus standi, any moral justification to present himself anymore, anywhere as the state IPAC Chairman.
“He is trying to instigate violence in the society because IPAC comprises all the political parties.
“The IPAC national formally communicated INEC at the National, formally communicated the IG, and every other security agency in the state.
“So, I believe that Ambassador Desmond Akawor should remain the elder statesman that he is.
“The security agencies are already informed and aware of Ambassador Desmond Akawor’s act in RSIEC,” he added.
Our correspondent cited the letter that dissolved Akawor’s executives in the state and a letter of confirmation to INEC by the national leadership of IPAC that Osaro is the new state chairman of IPAC.
Efforts to get a comment from the Akawor were abortive as he did not pick up calls or respond to messages on the issue.
