Dino Melaye Vows To Defeat President Tinubu Flat In Free Election
A former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has declared that any presidential candidate that emerges from the African Democratic Congress would perform “one million times better” than President Bola Tinubu.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Melaye made the assertion during an interview on Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, uploaded on Sunday, where he launched a scathing critique of the current administration.
“My brother, anybody among those interested in the presidency in ADC would do one million times better than Tinubu. They can never be a worse president than Tinubu,” he said.
The former lawmaker expressed confidence that the President could be defeated in a credible election, insisting that he personally has the capacity to unseat him.
“Me, Dino Melaye. Let’s go on a free and fair election,” he stated.
Reinforcing his position, he added, “I will beat him flat… in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Despite his strong rhetoric, Melaye clarified that his immediate focus is not necessarily on pursuing his own presidential ambition but on supporting a united opposition front.
“My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away. Whoever emerges from consensus or from a primary, I will support,” he said.
He also dismissed speculations about joint ticket arrangements, emphasising that the priority remains national interest.
“I am not interested in any joint ticket or non-joint ticket… we are only interested in rescuing this country,” he added.
Melaye alleged that the President might not be willing to allow a transparent electoral process, warning that the opposition would insist on fairness.
“Let him allow a free and fair contest. And if he doesn’t allow it, we will make him conduct our election. Because he doesn’t want election. He wants to be Kabiyesi. He wants to be Igwe,” he said.
The former senator also raised concerns about governance, particularly the alleged influence of non-elected individuals, referencing the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu.
“My son will not interfere with governance. My son will not summon DGs of parastatals and agencies of government and ministers,” he said.
Melaye further cited remarks by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka while criticising the growing visibility of non-elected actors.
“Even our respected Wole Soyinka complained about him. You have seen the City Boy Movement and what they are doing,” he added.
Melaye maintained that opposition figures were already working strategically ahead of future elections, stressing that unity remains key to achieving their objective.
