Michael Samuel Idoko has demanded that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, personally address reports of a ward creation exercise in Kogi state that allegedly excludes Kogi East. In a strongly worded statement on Friday, September 4, 2026, made available to Legit.ng, Idoko said unverified figures circulating publicly indicated a proposal for nine new wards in Ijumu, four in Mopa-Muro, six in Yagba East, four in Yagba West, four in Kabba/Bunu, and five in Okene. All the benefiting local government areas fall within Kogi West and Kogi Central senatorial districts. Kogi East, which Idoko described as the most populous senatorial district in the state, was allegedly allocated no additional wards under the proposal.
Idoko's Demands from INEC
Idoko called on Prof. Amupitan to publicly disclose whether the reported proposal exists, what criteria are being applied, which population figures are being relied upon, and why the Eastern part of Kogi state would be excluded from any allocation. "Amupitan must explain. Kogi people deserve to know the truth. If these figures are false, INEC should say so immediately. If they are genuine, the Commission must explain the methodology and criteria used to arrive at this distribution," Idoko said.
He added that population, geographical spread, demographic realities, and administrative considerations must be examined equally across all three senatorial districts before any final decision is reached. Furthermore, Idoko expressed concern about language already circulating among stakeholders in the state, including a claim that "INEC Chairman Prof. Amupitan has declared war against Kogi East." While he rejected inflammatory statements, he said the allegation should alert INEC leadership that continued silence could deepen public suspicion.
Warning Against Electoral Engineering
Idoko cautioned that any process capable of altering political representation must be conducted with full transparency, warning against what he described as "electoral engineering." "We must not allow electoral administration to become electoral engineering. No part of Kogi state should gain political advantage from criteria that are denied to another part of the state," he said.
He urged Amupitan-led INEC to publish the relevant data and methodology behind the reported exercise, covering population basis, administrative considerations, geographical factors, and the legal framework guiding any proposed ward creation. Idoko also appealed to respected voices in Kogi West to prevail on the INEC helmsman to ensure no action is taken that could be read as an attempt to undermine the interests of Kogi East.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Idoko concluded: "Amupitan must not create problems in Kogi state. Kogi East must not be shortchanged. Let INEC put the facts on the table, let the people examine the criteria, and let fairness prevail."
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the PDP in Kogi Central Senatorial District inaugurated a campaign organisation to coordinate its preparations for the 2027 elections, with leadership calling for aggressive grassroots outreach across all wards and polling units in the district. The inauguration took place under the leadership of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
