Ajaka Denies Links to INEC Protest in Kogi State

Alhaji Murtala Ajaka, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, issued a statement denying any connection to a protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The statement, signed by his Head of Media and Public Communications, Prince Tijani Dauda, was released in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Ajaka refuted claims made by a group called “Igala Vanguard,” attributed to an individual named Lawrence, which suggested his involvement in the protest. He emphasized that he neither authorized, sponsored, directed, commissioned, nor coordinated the demonstration.

The statement criticized the attribution of independent citizens' actions to Ajaka, labeling it an attempt to mislead the public. Ajaka’s media aide defended citizens' rights to peaceful protests and condemned the use of fictitious identities for character assassination.

The statement also affirmed Ajaka's respect for the INEC Chairman and the commission's responsibilities, urging the public to disregard the false claims against him.