Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Lagos State, yesterday, re-elected Mrs Temilola Akinade of the National Rescue Movement, NRM as its Chairman.
The new leaders emerged through consensus and affirmation 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 said 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, emerged as the Organising Secretary while Mr Oluwaseyi Akinleye of Boot Party was elected Financial Secretary.
Kalu said 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 said: “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 exco, the chairman urged the party leaders to work hard to deepen 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.
“We must make sure we do the right thing and give a level playground for everybody to participate.
“It is the duty of every political party to preach its party manifesto and go for membership drive”, Kalu said.
While urging the new exco to remain peaceful, the chairman said that each party should provide a platform for people of good character to come onboard and contest in 2027 general elections.
Admonishing the party leaders, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami said that the body is concerned about how political parties are faring in the state.
