Eight parties challenge legitimacy of Zamfara IPAC leadership

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

A coalition of eight political parties (G8) in Zamfara State has disavowed the current leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in the state, declaring it unconstitutional and illegitimate.
Speaking at a press conference in Gusau, the interim Chairman of the G8 coalition and state Chairman of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Amb. Adamu Haruna Tsafe, stated that the election that produced the current state executive council breached established democratic guidelines.
The G8 coalition comprises the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Action Congress (AAC), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The coalition asserted that there is no constitutionally recognized leadership steering IPAC in Zamfara, noting that an official petition challenging the election was submitted to IPAC National Headquarters in Abuja and awaits a formal decision.
The group completely distanced itself from a recent press conference held by IPAC executives criticizing state and federal government policies.
Tsafe argued that IPAC’s core mandate is advisory and internal democracy building, rather than political confrontation.
The coalition commended ongoing infrastructure projects in the state and acknowledged anti-banditry security efforts by both the Zamfara State Government and the Federal Government.
In response, the state IPAC Chairman, Sulaiman Bungudu, dismissed the coalition’s claims, maintaining that the state executive council was validly elected.
Bungudu stated that the election was lawfully conducted by national representatives from IPAC headquarters in Abuja, under the direct supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security personnel, and members of the press.
He called on the G8 coalition to set aside grievances and join hands with the recognized executive to advance democratic governance in Zamfara State.