Lagos: The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State re-elected Mrs. Temilola Akinade of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) as its Chairman on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, new leaders emerged through a consensus and affirmation process at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos.
Speaking at the congress, Mrs. Chinyere Kalu, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and National Organising Secretary of IPAC, announced that 18 political parties were accredited for the election. Announcing the new IPAC executives, Kalu stated that Dr. Adeola Jokomba of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerged as Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Adeyemi Abiola of the Action Peoples Party (APP) as Secretary, and Mr. Oladele Oladeji of Accord as Deputy Secretary.
She added that Mrs. Bunmi Adeyemo of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) emerged as Treasurer, Mr. Adenipebi Mode-Adekunle of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) as the Organising Secretary, while Mr. Oluwaseyi Akinleye of Boot Party was elected Financial Secretary. Kalu noted that Mr. James Adeshina of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) emerged as the Publicity Secretary, while Mrs. Rosemary Giwa-Amu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was elected as the Legal Adviser.
Describing the process as peaceful, Kalu commented on the cooperation observed among party leaders: ‘For the first time, we watched party leaders exhibit what they preach: brotherhood. There is an alignment and people agreed to step down for one another and a new exco emerged. This has made our job here very easy.’
Applauding the inclusion of four women in the 9-member executive committee, the chairman urged party leaders to work towards deepening democracy in the state. ‘IPAC is not an opposition platform. IPAC is an advisory body. IPAC helps to deepen democracy. I advise that we all go back to the drawing board, build our parties and deepen democracy.’
While urging the new executive committee to maintain peace, the chairman emphasized the importance of providing platforms for individuals of good character to contest in the 2027 general elections. Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos State, also addressed the gathering, urging party leaders to familiarize themselves with the new electoral law and timetable for the upcoming elections.
In her acceptance speech, Akinade expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve again, emphasizing unity, fairness, and progress of the democratic system. She pledged to foster collaboration among political parties and uphold principles of transparency, equity, and justice.
Dr. Adeola Jokomba, newly elected IPAC Deputy Chairman, reiterated the importance of unity to avoid acts undermining democracy within the state. Similarly, Mr. James Adeshina, the newly elected IPAC Publicity Secretary, emphasized the consensus arrangement for the election was in the interest of peace, unity, and progress of all political parties.
NAN reported that other political parties in attendance included the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Action Congress (AAC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP).