The Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Osun State on Monday inaugurated a new 9-man executive led by Dr Tosin Odeyemi of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, DLA, saying the move became necessary to fill a leadership vacuum ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Fifteen out of the 22 registered political parties in the state affirmed Odeyemi and eight others as the new executive during the event held in Osogbo.
Parties present include: Action Alliance, National Rescue Movement, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, Zenith Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Addressing journalists after the inauguration, Odeyemi said IPAC was established in 2006 by INEC to promote free, fair, credible and peaceful elections, and to foster democratic cooperation among parties.
He explained that following the expiration of the last executive headed by Pastor Victor Akande, two members indicated interest to contest for chairman. Akande sought re-election, while Odeyemi also stepped forward.
According to him, the election scheduled for March 14, 2026 was stalled due to the absence of committee members mandated to conduct it. He said the National Organising Secretary of IPAC, Chinyere O. Kalu, later informed stakeholders of a postponement, but no new date has been communicated since then.
“This vacuum is causing concern among stakeholders, particularly with the gubernatorial election approaching. The absence of a functioning IPAC raises a critical question: who will serve as the official mouthpiece for political parties in the engagements and consultations preceding the election?” Odeyemi asked.
He said after due consultation, the 16 parties decided not to allow the council to be “hijacked by those desperate to put us in the coven of a political party.”
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“Hence the inauguration of this Executive Committee, with our full consent, to serve as intermediary between the Political Parties and electorates,” he said.
Odeyemi appreciated the IPAC National Executive Committee and elders in Osun for the trust reposed in them.
“We promise to work as a formidable team. We will represent you well. We will carry you along. We will not disappoint you, and we will work tirelessly to fortify Osun IPAC,” he added.
He pledged that the new executive would work closely with INEC, OSIEC, security agencies and civil society to ensure a level playing field and peaceful conduct of the August 15 poll.
Other elected executives are: Prof. (Mrs) Adigun Oyewole of African Democratic Congress (Deputy Chairman), Araoye Kazeem of Action Alliance (Secretary), Adesuyi Olufemi of Zenith Labour Party (Publicity Secretary), Mustapha Muideen of Labour Party (Treasurer).
Others are: Dr Gbenga Afeni of National Rescue Movement (Organising Secretary), Waheed Adediran of All Progressives Congress (legal adviser), Tayo Adeyemi of African Action Congress (Financial Secretary) and Adebayo Olasunkanmi of Allied Peoples Movement (deputy secretary).
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
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