IPAC gets nine-member exco in Osun

Osogbo, Nigeria – A new nine-member executive council has been elected for the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Osun State, Nigeria, aiming to strengthen the voice of political parties in the state. The election, conducted through affirmation and monitored by journalists, saw 14 out of the 22 registered political parties participating.

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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?

Tosin Odeyemi, chairman of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, was elected as the new Osun IPAC chairman. He will be supported by Prof. Adigun Adepeju of the African Democratic Congress as Deputy Chairman, Araoye Kazeem of the Action Alliance as Secretary, and Adesuyi Olufemi of the Zenith Labour Party as Publicity Secretary. Other elected officials include Mustapha Muideen (Labour Party) as Treasurer, Dr Gbenga Afeni (National Rescue Movement) as Organising Secretary, Waheed Adediran (All Progressives Congress) as Legal Adviser, Tayo Adeyemi (African Action Congress) as Financial Secretary, and Adebayo Olasunkanmi (Allied Peoples Movement) as Deputy Secretary.

Odeyemi stated that the election was necessitated by the failure of the national IPAC leadership to fill vacant positions in the state, which had caused concern among stakeholders, particularly with the upcoming gubernatorial election. He emphasized the need for a functioning IPAC to serve as the official mouthpiece for political parties in engagements and consultations.

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After due consultation, sixteen registered Political Parties in Osun state out of the twenty-two felt we should not allow our collective council to be hijacked by those desperate to put us in the coven of a political party.

"After due consultation, sixteen registered Political Parties in Osun state out of the twenty-two felt we should not allow our collective council to be hijacked by those desperate to put us in the coven of a political party," Odeyemi said in his acceptance speech. He expressed readiness to work with the new executive to defend the interests of the parties and strengthen democratic governance through meaningful engagement.

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I want to appreciate our National Executive Committee of IPAC, my leaders and elders in Osun IPAC for this great trust; I will never take it for granted.