2023 Elections: Inter-Party Advisory Council Recognises Stakeholders With Award

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), in Oyo State, has commended all stakeholders associated with the just concluded 2023 general elections, for their contributions and roles played towards what it described as successful polls.

The Council said the contributions of the stakeholders, in no small measure, aided the efforts of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to achieve success at the elections.

To confirm the appreciation and show solidarity, the Oyo IPAC Chairman, Apostle Dare Ojo, had for about a week, led members of the Executive of the Council and others on a “Commendation Tour” to the stakeholders across the state.

Security operatives

Some of the stakeholders and security operatives visited so far and presented with awards of commendation include: the National Orientation Agency (NOA); the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Williams, and the Director, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Emmanuel Okoye.

Speaking on the purpose of the visit while addressing the CP and his team, the Oyo IPAC Chairman noted that it was important for the stakeholders to be so appreciated and commended for their roles, which if not well played, could have had negative effects on the conduct of the polls.

Ojo said: “The import of this IPAC Commendation visit to CP is to appreciate and commend the Command for their role in the last presidential and gubernatorial elections. We, as the umbrella body of all parties that participated in the election, are grateful to the command.

“We thank God for the peaceful election conducted. The election in Oyo state was the most peaceful in Nigeria. We can only charge the Command to boost their efforts in providing adequate security for the people, especially during the supplementary April 15 election in the state, and we have no doubt that they will do that,” he noted.

Responding, CP Adebowale Williams thanked the IPAC leadership for the initiative and appreciated all political parties for their contribution and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by other contenders who already congratulated the governor-elect.

Safe and secured

He further commended other security agencies for the teamwork and efforts at ensuring a safe and secured environment before, during and after the elections.

Williams said: “This commendation and appreciation goes to every stakeholder who has contributed immensely to the success of the last election.

“We commend the IPAC executives for the gift and their peaceful conduct in the just concluded general elections. We want to admonish the Council not to relent as the April 15th supplementary election is around the corner.”

At the Agodi, Ibadan Headquarters of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Oyo State Director, Mr Kayode Odedokun, while playing host to the team, also commended the effort of IPAC before, during and after the polls, urging everybody in the state to embrace peace, especially during the April 15 supplementary election and after.

Sensitisation

Speaking earlier, the IPAC Chairman had appreciated NOA for their contribution in terms of sensitisation and orientation of the citizens of the state on the need and importance of peaceful election, saying it had actually added to “our success story as the election was the best in history of our dear state.”

While receiving the guests at the Onireke Headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), the state Director of the DSS, Mr Emmanuel Okoye, lauded the Oyo State IPAC executive mebers for such a gesture and pledged the support of the DSS to all political parties anytime they are contacted for assistance.

Lateefah Ibrahim