A fresh controversy has emerged over the reported political endorsement of Dr. Idris Rufus Oluwafemi, popularly known as IDRUFEM, ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, as the Ijumu Local Government chapter of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) has formally distanced itself from the exercise.
In an official rejoinder and clarification issued by the Chairman of MOUN in Ijumu Local Government Area, Mr. Clement Joseph, the union’s local chapter maintained that it neither participated in nor authorised the reported endorsement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Representatives hopeful.
The clarification follows a publication circulating under the caption, “THANK YOU GREAT MINDS — KABBA/BUNU–IJUMU 2027 — IDRUFEM NI SEEEEE,” which suggested that motorcycle operators across the federal constituency had collectively thrown their weight behind Oluwafemi’s political ambition.
However, Joseph challenged any interpretation suggesting that the endorsement represented the unanimous or officially adopted position of all MOUN chapters within the constituency.
According to the statement, although the Kogi West Zonal Chairman was reportedly involved in the endorsement exercise, such participation should not automatically be construed as institutional approval by the Ijumu Local Government chapter.
“MOUN Ijumu LGA was not involved in the exercise and should not be represented as having participated in it,” the rejoinder emphasised.
The chairman underscored the importance of institutional integrity, organisational autonomy and accurate public communication, stressing that political actions undertaken by individuals or particular groups must be clearly distinguished from decisions formally adopted by recognised chapters of an association.
He further maintained that the union’s identity should not be deployed in ways capable of creating misconceptions about the political positions of its constituent chapters.
Significantly, the rejoinder clarified that the Ijumu chapter’s position was not an attempt to undermine the democratic rights of individuals to support candidates of their choice.
Rather, it was intended to safeguard the chapter’s institutional identity and ensure that members of the public received accurate information regarding its involvement in political activities.
“This rejoinder is not intended to deny any individual’s right to express a personal political preference,” the statement explained, adding that its central objective was to establish a clear distinction between the reported endorsement and the official position of MOUN Ijumu.
The development introduces a new dimension to the evolving political conversations surrounding the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency contest, where endorsements by organised groups are increasingly attracting public attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Joseph consequently urged political stakeholders, union members, supporters and the general public to exercise caution in attributing the reported endorsement to the entire organisation.
“Let the facts be clear: according to Mr Clement Joseph, Chairman of MOUN Ijumu LGA, Ijumu Local Government MOUN was not part of the purported endorsement,” the statement concluded.
The clarification does not, in itself, invalidate any endorsement made by other MOUN officials or chapters. It establishes the position communicated by the Ijumu leadership regarding its own participation.
The central message remains unequivocal: MOUN Ijumu LGA says it was not a party to the reported IDRUFEM endorsement.
