Osun IPAC Crisis Deepens as Party Leaders Demand National Executives Resign Ahead of Governorship Election
A fresh leadership crisis has erupted within the Osun State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), with a faction of political party leaders demanding the immediate resignation of the council’s National Executive Committee over allegations of incompetence, bias, and constitutional violations.
The aggrieved group also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend its engagement with the Osun chapter of IPAC until a duly elected leadership is put in place before the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.
Faction Rejects Caretaker Committee, Labels Appointment Illegal
Speaking during a press conference in Osogbo on Saturday, the faction, led by the Acting Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) in Osun State, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, strongly rejected the caretaker committee recently announced by IPAC’s national leadership.
According to Odeyemi, the committee was imposed on members without consultation, describing the decision as unconstitutional and unacceptable.
He argued that after the tenure of the immediate past Osun IPAC Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande, expired in February 2026, the national leadership was expected to conduct fresh elections rather than appoint an interim administration.
Delayed Election Sparks Leadership Dispute
Odeyemi explained that members had anticipated an election following the postponement of the March 14 exercise but claimed that no new election date had been communicated by the national secretariat.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the development, he said the announcement of a caretaker committee came as a surprise to party leaders across the state.
“We received, with utmost surprise, the composition of the Caretaker Executives of Inter-Party Advisory Council for Osun State by our National Executives. The letter purportedly signed by the National Chairman and Secretary of IPAC was a joke taken too far,” Odeyemi said.
He further alleged that the March 14 election failed because officials assigned by the national leadership did not show up for the exercise.
According to him, members were later informed by the National Organising Secretary that a new election date would be communicated, but that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
National Leadership Accused of Violating IPAC Constitution
The faction accused the national leadership of abandoning its constitutional responsibilities by setting up a caretaker committee instead of organizing fresh elections.
Odeyemi maintained that the IPAC constitution contains no provision allowing the appointment of caretaker executives in place of elected officials.
He also alleged that the composition of the newly appointed committee reflected political favoritism, claiming several party chairmen were selected without the approval or consent of the majority of stakeholders within the Osun chapter.
Group Demands Resignation of IPAC National Executives
The aggrieved leaders insisted that the current National Executive Committee has lost the confidence of members and should step down immediately.
According to Odeyemi, the leadership has demonstrated incompetence and failed to protect the democratic principles expected within the council.
“In the interest of a transparent IPAC in Nigeria, we call for the resignation of our National Executive Committee members because they have openly displayed their incompetence and insensitivity to the yearnings of majority members of the council,” he stated.
The faction reiterated that it would not recognize the caretaker committee and would continue to push for a transparent, credible, and inclusive election to produce a legitimate leadership for the Osun State chapter.
Faction Urges INEC to Stay Away Until Crisis Is Resolved
Responding to questions from journalists after the briefing, Odeyemi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to temporarily distance itself from the Osun chapter of IPAC until the leadership crisis is resolved.
He stressed that only a properly elected executive should represent political parties within the council, especially with the August 15 Osun State governorship election drawing closer.
According to him, resolving the leadership dispute through a credible election remains the only way to restore confidence and ensure effective coordination among political parties ahead of the crucial poll.
