Concerns as IPAC postpones election in Osun indefinitely

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

There were concerns as an Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) election scheduled for Saturday in Osogbo, Osun State, was postponed indefinitely.

A statement by the National Organising Secretary, Chinyere Kalu, said the new date for the election would be communicated in due course.

“This is to formally inform all stakeholders that the Osun State IPAC Election previously scheduled to hold on 14th of March has been postponed. The new date for the election will be communicated soon.

“We regret any inconvenience this development may cause and also appreciate your understanding and continued cooperation,” Kalu said.

The Sun had reported that the election descended into uncertainty after representatives of registered political parties abruptly left the venue and the electoral committee failed to appear.

The exercise, slated to begin at 10:00 a.m., did not hold after delegates—who had registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—departed unexpectedly.

Findings at the scene revealed that the electoral committee appointed by the national IPAC body was not present at the venue; sources indicated the committee members were elsewhere in the town.

Speaking with journalists at the INEC office, the chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr Tosin Odeyemi, who contested for the chairmanship position of IPAC, expressed hope that the election would hold one day.

Odeyemi, who contested against the chairman of Accord Party, Victor Akande, explained that he had waited for the committee before he was informed that the election would be postponed.

“However, I am convinced they are only postponing the day. The day will still come and the day is soon. It is not about me, it is about the team that feels that the incumbent chairman of IPAC, who is hoping that he will be re-elected, does not deserve it and I want to appreciate the electoral committee because when I was invited and they gave me the reasons why the election would be postponed, I agreed with them because I know it’s not about today,” Odeyemi said.