I’II defect Tinubu flat on free, fair election, says ex-Kogi Senator, Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye, former member of the Kogi State legislature, is confident that he can beat President Bola Tinubu in a free and fair election, stressing the need for unity in the opposition before any future elections.

Melaye made the claim in a recent interview on the Mic On Podcast featuring Seun Okinbaloye.

“My brother, any of those who wish to vie for the office of the presidency in ADC would definitely do a million times better than Tinubu. They cannot become a worse president than Tinubu,” Melaye said.

On his own political ambitions, the former senator was adamant that he can easily oust the President in a fair election.

“Me, Dino Melaye. Let us organize ourselves and go to a free and fair election,” he stated.
“I will beat him down flat in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“The one thing I can tell you for now is that we must take Tinubu out of office. Whoever comes out through consensus or primary elections, I will support him,” he said.

In addition, he accused the President of reluctance to hold an effective election.
“Let him give us free and fair elections. But if he doesn’t want to give it to us, we’ll make him conduct our elections because he wants no election; he wants to be the Kabiyesi, he wants to be Igwe,” he added.

Regarding coalition discussions, Melaye dispelled reports of joint tickets, noting that the interests of the nation come first.

“I don’t care whether it is a joint ticket or non-joint ticket, all we care about is saving this country,” he stated.

The former legislator also expressed worries over the governance issue, stating that there was a lot of pressure on the governance of the country by people who had not been elected into office, especially the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu.

“My son will not meddle in governance issues. My son will not summon DGs of parastatals and agencies of government and Ministers,” he stated.

He further criticised what he described as the growing visibility of Seyi Tinubu in public affairs, referencing comments by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.

“Even our respected Wole Soyinka complained about him. You have seen the City Boy Movement and what they are doing,” he said.

Melaye maintained that opposition figures are already strategising ahead of future elections, stressing that unity will be key to achieving their goal.