Prince Sunday Fagbemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged as the new Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Kwara State chapter.
Prince Fagbemi’s emergence followed an election held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ilorin.
He was elected after a keenly contested poll in which he secured 13 votes to defeat his closest rival, Salihu Saka Olorundare of the Accord Party, who polled six votes.
Other key positions were also filled through competitive elections. Hajia Motunrayo Jaiyeola of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) defeated Olaosebikan Fatimoh Olawumi with 15 votes to four to emerge as Deputy Chairman.
Similarly, Adeshina Lukman Ajisafe of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) clinched the position of Secretary after polling 13 votes to beat AbdulRahman Abdullahi Kayode of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored six votes.
Several other executive positions were filled unopposed. These include: Organising Secretary, Popoola Kehinde (NRM); Legal Adviser, Barrister Ayorinde Ishola (YPP); Publicity Secretary, Prince Olufemi Adeleke; Financial Secretary, Ajibade Samson (APP); Treasurer, Prince Adebayo Akadi (ADC); and Deputy Secretary, Usman Jamiu Opeyemi (AAC).
A total of 19 political parties in Kwara State participated in the election, which was supervised by INEC officials.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Prince Fagbemi, called for unity and cooperation among political parties, stressing that there was no victor and no vanquished in the election.
“There is no winner and no loser. We must all come together to move Kwara State forward. The election has come and gone, and I urge us to see it as a healthy contest,” he said.
He emphasised that IPAC is not an opposition platform but an advisory body meant to contribute constructively to governance.
“As the name implies, we are an advisory council. Our responsibility is to observe governance, identify gaps, sit down together, and provide solutions in the interest of the state and the country. Nigeria must move forward,” Fagbemi stated.
He commended INEC officials and members of the electoral committee for the peaceful conduct of the election and appealed for prayers and support, describing his new role as a call to service.
Chairman of the 2026 Kwara IPAC Electoral Committee, Hon. Adetunde Rufai Omoaje, who is also the National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), described the exercise as free, fair, and transparent.
“If we get it right from here, Nigeria will get it right. The conduct of this election shows that internal democracy can thrive among political parties,” he said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the outgoing IPAC Chairman, Prince Deji Oyekunle, urged all participants to accept the outcome of the election in good faith and work harmoniously with the newly elected executives.
“Whatever the outcome of today’s election, let us take it in good faith and work together with the new leadership to move Kwara State forward,” Oyekunle said.
He expressed gratitude to political party leaders and stakeholders for the support he received during his tenure, thanking INEC, security agencies, and IPAC national officers for their cooperation.
