Dino Melaye will be flying the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) flag at the governorship election in Kogi state after winning the party’s primaries.
The PDP chieftain had a comfortable victory over his rivals as he secured 313 votes to beat Idoko Ilonah who came second with 124 votes.
Former governor of Kaduna and chairman of the PDP’s electoral committee for Kogi governorship primary Ahmed Makarfi announced the winner on Sunday April 16, 2023.
It will now be a two-horse race for the governorship position come November 11, 2023, as Melaye will be locking horns with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ahmed Ododo.
In the past week, Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike doubted the capabilities of Melaye becoming governor of Kogi state.
In his words: “When you give Dino that ticket you know he won’t win in Kogi state,” Wike had said
“You’re talking about governance of a state, we are not talking about drama. Dino does not have what it takes. What is he going to do? Why would Kogi people say they will vote for Dino? Are we joking?”
Melaye responded to Wike’s remarks against him saying that it was because he did not persuade Atiku Abubakar to pick him as his running mate in last the presidential election.
His words: “Nigerians should not be fooled. That integrity and equity that he (Wike) is always clamouring, he does not possess one percent of it. He will tell you he wants a southern presidency, that is why he is fighting but that is a bogus lie,” Melaye said.
“Wike wanted to be vice-presidential candidate to Atiku. He (Wike) called me 19 times in two hours when Atiku was going to mention his vice-presidential candidate, lobbying me with everything possible to influence Atiku to announce him as his running mate. I have witnesses.”
