Dantalle re-elected IPAC chairman, urges unity ahead of 2027 polls

A group photograph of the IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Dantalle (middle) and his executives after their re-election in Abuja. Photo Credit: Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis

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The umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, has returned Yusuf Dantalle as its national chairman.

Dantalle, a former presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, defeated Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance, in a contest closely monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission and political stakeholders at the council’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.

The election also produced other members of the council’s National Executive Committee, including Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim (Deputy National Chairman), Maxwell Mgbudem (National Secretary), Maryam Bagel (Deputy National Secretary), Dipo Olayoku (National Treasurer), Chinyere Kalu (National Organising Secretary), Umar Mohammed (National Financial Secretary), Martins Egbeola (National Publicity Secretary), and Obed Agu (National Legal Adviser).

Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dan Nwanyanwu, who supervised the process, commended the maturity exhibited by all aspirants throughout the exercise.

Providing an overview of the screening and election, Nwanyanwu, who also chairs the Zenith Labour Party, stated that 11 aspirants contested for nine positions.

He explained, “A total of 11 aspirants were duly screened for the available nine positions. Two aspirants each presented themselves for the offices of National Chairman and Financial Secretary, while the remaining seven positions had one aspirant each.

“For the position of IPAC National Chair, only Yusuf Dantalle and Chief Kenneth Udeze turned up for the screening.”

In his acceptance speech, the returning chairman thanked party leaders for renewing his mandate.

“I am humbled by the confidence leaders of political parties have reposed in me by renewing my mandate for another two years as National Chairman of IPAC, the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria. I am overwhelmed by the outcome of this election,” Dantalle said.

Describing the poll as a demonstration of internal democracy, he added: “Political party leaders have demonstrated again that they can conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable, and peaceful election without rancour.”

The IPAC chairman recalled programmes undertaken in his first tenure, noting that the renewed mandate would enable him to consolidate the council’s reforms.

*“You have spoken loud and clear with your votes for continuity of the programmes, projects, and actions we jointly undertook in the last two years when you graciously entrusted me with the leadership of IPAC on December 15, 2023.

“Today’s election is a victory for sustainable democracy and development in IPAC and the nation. It is our collective victory and a triumph of hope for a better, greater, and brighter Inter-Party Advisory Council.”*

Dantalle also commended INEC officials who monitored the poll, appreciating their presence “despite their tight schedule.”

Reviewing his first two years in office, the IPAC chairman highlighted several initiatives, including the establishment of new directorates to deepen inclusion within political parties.

“Esteemed leaders of political parties, you will recall that in December 2023, I promised to establish the Directorates of Women, Youth, and Persons With Disabilities. That promise was kept,” he said.

He also noted the transformation of the IPAC Code of Conduct into a binding constitution for all member parties, introducing the gender-balancing “twinning” principle.

“A significant provision of the Constitution is the twinning concept, to promote inclusivity. Thus, where a male person is elected or appointed into a substantive office as a principal, the deputy shall be a female person, and vice versa.”

The chairman recounted other initiatives, including the launch of the book 100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria and the ongoing production of a movie marking IPAC’s 25 years of unbroken democratic engagement.

He added that the council intensified national interventions through media engagements, policy alternatives, stakeholder dialogues, and international capacity-building programmes — including a training tour to China.

Dantalle assured party leaders that the next two years would prepare the council for a stronger role ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“With your support, the last two years were memorable. And with your further support, the next two years will be glorious as we prepare for the decisive 2027 general election. IPAC will keep growing from strength to strength as we collaborate with stakeholders and citizens to build a strong, virile, united, equitable, and inclusive democratic nation.”

Dantalle first clinched the IPAC chairmanship in December 2023, polling 10 votes to defeat the then-incumbent Alhaji Yabagi Sani, who secured eight.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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