Ms Temilola Akinade, the Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), was on Tuesday elected the new Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State Chapter.
Akinade emerged the new IPAC chairman after defeating the incumbent Chairman, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, in a keenly contested election at INEC Media Centre, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.
Declaring the winner, Mr Martins Egbeola, National Organising Secretary of the council and Chairman of IPAC Election Committee, announced that Akinade scored 10 votes to defeat Mobolaji, who scored eight votes.
He said 18 delegates from 18 political parties were accredited, and voted for candidates of their choice into various executive positions of IPAC during the election.
According to him, while five of the positions were contested, four other positions were returned unopposed.
Those who returned unopposed, though with open affirmation are: Dr Muhyideen Jokomba of APC (Deputy Chairman); Mr ThankGod Ibeh of APGA (Deputy Secretary); Mr George Ashiru of ADC (Publicity Secretary) and Ms Bolaji Adedoyin of ADP( Legal Adviser).
The IPAC executives that emerged through the secret ballot were: Mrs Abiola Adeyemi of APP (Secretary); Mr Adekunle Mode-Adenipebi of ZLP (Organising Secretary); Alhaji Mustapha Moshood of PRP (Treasurer) and Mrs Bunmi Adeyemo of APM (Financial Secretary).
Egbeola, who inaugurated the new IPAC executives, urged them to work together, not excluding anyone.
“I want to appeal to you, there are no losers, there are no winners.
“I want you all to close ranks and work together. All we want is harmony and synergy in Lagos IPAC,” he said.
Stressing that IPAC was not an opposition platform but an advisory body to deepen democracy, Egbeola urged the party leaders to give the newly- elected exco maximum support.
“At the level of IPAC, you are not an opposition party. You can only advice, counsel or provide policy alternative,” he said.
In her victory speech, Akinade promised to carry everyone along to achieve more for the council.
“I just want you to believe that we can do it together. If I am wrong, call me to order. Support me and I promise to be loyal and serve you,” the new chairman said.
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With this election, Akinade will now oversee the affairs of the Lagos chapter of IPAC, which is the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria for the next two years.
Earlier, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) described IPAC as a veritable platform for government in power to listen to for advice.
Salami, who was represented by Mr Akanji Abidakun, INEC Head of Department, Elections and Party Monitoring (EPM) said that the commission acknowledged IPAC as a platform to deepen democracy. (NAN)
