MOUN IJUMU DISTANCES SELF FROM REPORTED IDRUFEM ENDORSEMENT AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS
Ijumu Chairman, Clement Joseph, Says Local Chapter Neither Participated in Nor Authorised Purported Political Endorsement
By Our Correspondent
The Ijumu Local Government Area chapter of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) has distanced itself from the reported endorsement of Dr. Idris Rufus Oluwafemi, popularly known as IDRUFEM, ahead of the 2027 House of Representatives election for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.
The union’s position was conveyed in an official rejoinder issued by the Ijumu LGA Chairman, Mr. Clement Joseph, who clarified that the local chapter neither participated in nor authorised the reported endorsement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) aspirant.
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The clarification follows the circulation of a publication titled, “THANK YOU GREAT MINDS — KABBA/BUNU–IJUMU 2027 — IDRUFEM NI SEEEEE,” which appeared to suggest that motorcycle operators across the federal constituency had collectively endorsed Oluwafemi’s political ambition.
However, Joseph said the Ijumu chapter should not be portrayed as part of the exercise, stressing that the reported endorsement did not represent an officially adopted position of the local union.
According to the rejoinder, although the Kogi West Zonal Chairman was reportedly involved in the endorsement exercise, such involvement should not automatically be interpreted as institutional approval by the MOUN Ijumu LGA chapter.
“MOUN Ijumu LGA was not involved in the exercise and should not be represented as having participated in it,” the statement emphasised.
Joseph stressed the need to protect the union’s institutional identity and autonomy, noting that actions taken by individuals or particular groups must be distinguished from decisions formally adopted by recognised chapters of the organisation.
He maintained that the union’s name should not be used in a manner that could create the impression that all its constituent chapters had collectively adopted a particular political position when such a decision had not been taken by them.
The chairman also clarified that the rejoinder was not intended to question the democratic rights of individuals to support candidates of their choice.
Rather, he explained that the purpose was to ensure that the public received accurate information about the Ijumu chapter’s involvement and to prevent the reported endorsement from being wrongly attributed to the local union.
“This rejoinder is not intended to deny any individual’s right to express a personal political preference,” the statement explained.
The development adds another dimension to political activities surrounding the 2027 House of Representatives election in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, where political aspirants and their supporters are beginning to attract public attention through endorsements and mobilisation efforts.
Joseph consequently urged political stakeholders, union members, supporters and members of the public to exercise caution when attributing political endorsements to the entire organisation without confirmation from the relevant leadership.
He reiterated that the Ijumu chapter was not involved in the reported endorsement of IDRUFEM and should not be represented as having authorised or adopted the exercise as its official position.
The clarification, however, does not invalidate any endorsement that may have been made by other MOUN officials or chapters. It specifically establishes the position of the Ijumu LGA leadership regarding its participation.
The rejoinder, attributed to Mr. Clement Joseph, therefore seeks to draw a clear distinction between the reported political endorsement and the official position of MOUN Ijumu LGA as discussions surrounding the 2027 elections continue.
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 11th, 2026
