The Olufaki of Ifaki Kingdom in Isokan Local Government Development Area of Ekiti State, Oba (Dr.) John Adegbenro Falore and Ifaki Progressive Union Union (IPU) had set up an Electoral Committee consisting of 8 members to conduct elections into the national offices of IPU for the next four years dispensation. The members of the Electoral Committee includes:
1. Mr. Tayo Agbelese - Chairman
2. Prof. (Sir) Biodun Ojo - Member / Recorder of minutes
3. Mr. Niyi Adeoya - Member
4. Mr. Jide Familoye - Member
5. Otunba Kehinde Oguntoyinbo - Member
6. Mrs. Funmi Alake-Apata - Member
7. Chief (Mrs.) Adijat Bimbo Yusuf - Member
8. High Chief Tunji Olaiya, Olokun of Ifaki - Member
In preparation for the elections of the National Officers of the Ifaki Progressive Union (IPU), the Electoral Committee at its inauguration meeting, discussed guidelines and conditions for the eligibility of contestants prior to obtaining the expression of interest form for any of the declared offices.
The Electoral Committee Chairman, Chief Tayo Agbelese intimated members with the reasons for setting up the committee; to establish guidelines for the upcoming IPU National Elections taking place on March 30, 2024.
Chief Agbelese enumerated the criteria for the guidelines on the elections. Members of the committee discussed these criteria, and they were approved as follows:
(a) Age must be a criteria for contestants in the election. For National President and Deputy National President, they must be 50 years and above at the time of contesting for the election.
(b)The National Secretary and Deputy National Secretary must be 45 years and above at the time of contesting for the election
(c) While for the other positions , except for the Ifaki Youth Council, they must be 40 years and above.
All the contestants must be gainfully employed and or must have source or means of livelihood. Contestants must show evidence of participation in IPU activities either at the local or national level in the past 5 years in order to establish cognate experience.
Also a contestant must be endorsed by the Local or National IPU Chapter Chairman and or must be endorsed by a notable personality from Ifaki-Ekiti in the areas where there is no recognised IPU local or National Chapter.
While a contestant must have paid 2023 and 2024 Development level in order to be allowed to contest, voters must have paid either 2023 or 2024 Development levies in order to be allowed to vote in the IPU National elections.
Candidates for the elections must have picked up, completed and submitted the expression of interest forms before March 23, 2024.
To contest for the National President and the Vice President, the candidate must pick up the nomination form at a cost of Ten thousand Naira (N10,000.00) only. While to contest for the position of National Secretary and Assistant National Secretary, candidate must pick up the form at the cost of five thousand Naira (N5,000.00) only. For any other positions at the National level, such as Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Organizing Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Welfare Officer, Auditor, candidate must pay three thousand Naira (N3,000.00) only.
The committee further agreed that all elective positions are opened to all Ifaki-Ekiti indigenes, living in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. The nomination form will be available electronically and in hard copies at designated places such as Olufaki Palace for those living in Ekiti and environs, while in Lagos at Mr. Jide Familoye’s place, and in Abuja at Otunba Kehinde Oguntoyinbo’s place. The Election Debate will be on March 25, 2024. Deadline for the submission of forms is March 23, 2024 and the first screening is a week before the March 30, 2024 elections. The Account Number to pay Ifaki Development levy will be announced. All Electoral Committee members are advised to pay up their annual dues to show Leadership by examples.
The Electoral Committee of IPU for the year 2024 IPU National election further agreed unanimously for the election of three (3) Diaspora Coordinators, including: IPU USA Diaspora Coordinator, IPU Canada Diaspora Coordinator, and IPU UK/Europe Diaspora Coordinator.
Chief Agbelese thanked members for a job well done and for coming up with various suggestions, opinions and agreements to ensure a clean, and fair elections for the National IPU Exco. He encouraged members to continue to contribute their quotas toward ensuring a better Ifaki.
Chief Agbelese promised on behalf of the Electoral Committee not to let the Olufaki of Ifaki, Oba (Dr.) John Adegbenro Falore and Ifaki sons and daughters both at home and abroad down in installing a vibrant New IPU EXCO for the next four years.
Commenting on the progress recorded so far by the Electoral Committee, the Olufaki of Ifaki, Oba (Dr) Adegbenro Falore thanked all sons and daughters of Ifaki for their overwhelming support for his administration ever since he ascended the throne of his Forefathers. Oba Falore also commended the Electoral Committee members for providing leadership on the Elections process with fair guidelines and conditions for the eligibilities of candidates for all positions. These efforts are in good directions to make Ifaki and its environs a better place for all. He then charged all sons and daughters of Ifaki-Ekiti both home and abroad to show more commitment to the development of Ifaki so that Ifaki-Ekiti can regain its lost glory.
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