By Adesakin Adefemi
Former Kogi lawmaker Senator Dino Melaye says he is confident of defeating President Bola Tinubu in a free and fair election, but stressed that his priority is backing whoever emerges from an opposition coalition to unseat the current administration.
Melaye made the remarks during an interview on Mic On Podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, which was uploaded on Sunday. He used the platform to criticise the performance of the current government and outline the opposition’s strategy ahead of future elections.
“My brother, anybody among those interested in presidency in ADC would do one million times better than Tinubu. They can never be a worse president than Tinubu,” Melaye said during the interview, referring to potential candidates from the African Democratic Congress.
He expressed strong belief in his own electoral chances if he chose to contest. “Me, Dino Melaye. Let’s go on a free and fair election,” he stated. He added, “I will beat him flat in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Despite his comments on his personal chances, Melaye clarified that his immediate goal is not about his own ambition. “My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away. Whoever emerges from consensus or from a primary, I will support,” he said.
The former senator alleged that the President would be reluctant to allow a transparent process. “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 added.
On the issue of coalition tickets and zoning, Melaye dismissed the focus on individual pairings. “I am not interested in any joint ticket or non-joint ticket. We are only interested in rescuing this country,” he told the host, stressing that national interest should come first.
Melaye also raised concerns about what he described as undue influence by non-elected individuals in governance. He specifically mentioned the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, questioning his role in public affairs and meetings with government officials.
“My son will not interfere with governance. My son will not summon DGs of parastatals and agencies of government and ministers,” Melaye said. He cited remarks by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and the activities of the City Boy Movement as examples of growing public concern.
He maintained that opposition figures are already working together strategically to present a united front. According to Melaye, unity among opposition leaders is the key requirement for achieving their objective of providing an alternative to Nigerians in the next election.
