A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka has distanced himself from the recent protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing reports linking him to the action as false, misleading and politically motivated.

Ajaka, a prominent Kogi politician and 2023 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), said he neither authorised, sponsored, directed, commissioned nor coordinated the protest.

In a statement signed by his Head of Media and Public Communications, Prince Tijani Dauda, and made available to journalists, Ajaka said attempts to associate him with the demonstration were aimed at dragging his name into an issue with which he had no connection.

The statement followed a publication by a group identified as “Igala Vanguard”, attributed to one Engr. Lawrence Ankpa, which allegedly linked Ajaka to the protest.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka did not authorise, sponsor, direct, commission or coordinate the protest,” the statement said.

According to Ajaka’s media office, the activities of citizens who independently chose to express their grievances should not automatically be attributed to a political figure.

It stressed that Igala youths were entitled to assemble peacefully and express their concerns on issues affecting their communities, representation and future without seeking the permission or sponsorship of any political actor.

The statement questioned the basis for linking Ajaka to the protest simply because some of the participants were Igala youths, arguing that citizens were capable of taking positions and organising themselves independently.

It also accused unnamed individuals and groups of allegedly hiding behind fictitious associations and pseudo-identities to engage in character assassination, political manipulation and the circulation of unsubstantiated allegations.

Ajaka’s camp warned those allegedly operating such platforms against using his name for what it described as political propaganda, blackmail and manufactured controversies.

It challenged anyone with allegations against the politician to come forward openly, identify themselves and provide facts and evidence capable of withstanding public scrutiny.

“Anyone with allegations against Ajaka should come forward openly, using their real names and presenting facts and evidence that could withstand public scrutiny,” the statement said.

Despite the disagreement over the alleged attribution, Ajaka’s media office said he holds the Chairman of INEC and the electoral commission in high esteem.

It said Ajaka respects the constitutional responsibilities entrusted to the INEC Chairman and remains confident that the commission will discharge its duties with fairness, professionalism and regard for the law.

The statement further urged members of the public to distinguish between legitimate civic action by citizens and political claims seeking to associate such activities with Ajaka.

It called on the public to disregard what it described as the false attribution of the INEC protest to the politician and to be guided by verifiable facts rather than what it termed politically motivated narratives.