“I’ll Beat Tinubu in a Free and Fair Election” — Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye, a former senator representing Kogi West, says he would defeat President Bola Tinubu if Nigeria conducts what he describes as a free and fair election.

Melaye made the remarks during an appearance on the “Mic On” podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, where he described the president as deeply unpopular.

“Today, Bola Tinubu is the most unpopular politician in Nigeria. I will beat him flat. He won’t even stand up,” Melaye said.

He also alleged that the president is not interested in a competitive electoral process. “Let’s go on a free and fair election. If he allows it, I will defeat him,” he added.

According to Melaye, the current administration is more focused on retaining power without contest. “He does not want an election. He wants a coronation,” he said.

The former lawmaker, now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that any presidential candidate from the party would outperform Tinubu in office.

“Any person among those interested in the presidency in ADC will do far better than Tinubu. There can never be a worse president than Tinubu,” he said.

Melaye also criticised what he described as attempts to personalise political authority. “He wants to be Kabiyesi and Igwe. We won’t allow that to happen in Nigeria,” he said.

Melaye was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 2023 Kogi State governorship election, where he placed third.

The election was won by Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 446,237 votes. Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) came second with 259,052 votes, while Melaye secured 46,362 votes.