Kogi Governorship: Why Senator Dino Melaye Should Be the Preferred Choice of The People
…fight against ‘Third Term agenda’ of Yahaya Bello
Senator Dino Melaye of the People Democratic Party (PDP) is undisputably the candidate to support as we approach the next Kogi State gubernatorial election. When we critically analyse the terrain, the hurdles and challenges of election as well as competence, capacity, preparation and agenda, Dino Melaye is ahead of all in this regard.
Of a truth, other candidates are eminently qualified and fit, but when we weigh side by side considering the political climate of Kogi State and the desperate antics of the outgoing Governor, *our people need a Dino Melaye* if “we must defeat the third agenda of the percentage Governor”. Kogi has never had it so bad. Since the inception of GYB led govt, it has been from one hellish experience to the other. Most disheartening is the APC 2023 candidate, whose primary agenda is to be a place holder for the outgoing Yahaya Bello. Why must we allow tenure elongation?
The good people of Kogi State can not afford another term of percentage administration and oppression, hence the reason we must work together for the sake of our people and the state.
How do we replace incompetence with another incompetence?
Dino is not perfect like me and you, but has the best chance to win this coming election among the three candidates from Kogi West. He has the needed political stamina that fits in to this election. We should know, it is not going to be a child’s play or mere exercise of adverts.
Currently from East, the two former Kogi Governors from Igala/Bassa land His Excellencies, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Idris Ichalla Wada are working day and night for him along side several leaders just to stop the third term agenda of the outgoing Governor and entrench competent leadership. The former National Chairman of PDP, Sen Ahmadu Ali, Former Kogi State PDP Chairman, Chief John Odawn, Capt Agada, Hon Shugaba, Barr Kabiru, Barr Haruna, SAN, among several top notch are supporting him because of his capacity, competence and wide popularity.
Dino’s deputy, Hon Habiba Muhammed Deen, a former member of Kogi State House of Assembly, Ankpa State Constituency. She was a former House of Representative Candidate under PDP. Notably, Hon Habiba Deen is a respected Princess of Ankpa, if supported, she will be making history as the first female Kogi State Deputy Governor jus like Sen Natasha from Central, who broke the jinx to emerge the first female Kogi Senator. PDP has evidently created unprecedented women inclusion and participation in Kogi State politics. Our mothers and youths must sustain this tempo by voting PDP for more women participation.
From Kogi Central, the two former Deputy Governors, His Excellencies, Philip Salawu and Patrick Adaba are equally working hard to ensure his victory in Ebira land. Aside them, Dino is been supported strongly by Engr Sam Ihuotu, the immediate past Kogi State PDP Chairman who is also from Central. Dino Melaye also has the political personalities like Sen Ogembe, Hon Yahaya Karaku, former Chairman Okene LGA, Hon Etudaiye, Alhaji Anuhi among several others.
*Notably, Distinguished Senator Barrister Natasha Akpoti, Senator Kogi Central is the Director General Women Council, Dino/Habiba Campaign Council in Kogi State 2023.* She is back to Central to comb everywhere in a bid to secure massive support and votes for Dino Melaye of PDP. No doubts about her capacity to deliver.
From Kogi West, Dino has won elections into House of Reps, won Senate twice in Kogi West, he is not a stranger or new comer to the political terrain of Kogi West. *From Chikara to Iyamoye, Egbe to Abugi, Dino has his structures solidly in place because of his previous political engagement.* With him are the likes of Distinguish Sen. General Tunde Ogbeha, Prince Olushola Akanmode, Chief Musa Ahmodu, Hon T J Yusuf, Hon Kola Ologbondiyan, Hon Juwon Faniyi, Hon Shaba Ibrahim, Chief Ojo, Dr Olusunle, Chief Akande, Hon Salaudeen, Engr Olomo, Barr Yemi Olumudi, Chief Elebiyo, Prince Richard Akanmode, Hon Adedoyin, Dr Kayode, Dcn Olusuyi, Amb Olusiji, Pastor Obalemo, Hon Kingsley Mokikan Hon Paul Apara, Prince Ibinayin, Comrade Owonibi, Madam Lydia, Alhaji Wahab, Hon Ohinoyi, Hon Ejibunu, Hon Jimmy Sule, Hon Adewale Saliu (Synergy), Hon Bala, and too many several others to mention leading his team mobilising in Kogi West and beyond. Dino’s popularity is not in doubt, it forms major ingredients of an election and victory.
PDP under whose platform Dino is contesting has sturctures across the 21 LGAs in Kogi State. It has membership cut across the 21 local govt undisputably. It has functional party executives and members from ward levels to local govt, zonal and state level. These are factors and features anybody can not dismiss, these form major part of support, mobilization, electoral oxygen and a boost to PDP candidate in this election…
Currently, PDP has 13 serving Governors, serveral Senators and Reps members, State House of Assembly Members and national Leaders that will deploy both massive political and finacial support to distinguish Senator Dino Melaye of the PDP. We are aware that election of such magnitude requires a lot of funds and other logistics.
As at today, Dino Melaye is been backed by *13 PDP-Governors, National Assembly Serving Senators and Reps of PDP, Forum of Former PDP Governors, Forum of Former PDP Senators, Forum of Former PDP Representatives, PDP Forum of Former Ministers, PDP BOT members, PDP NEC, PDP North Central Caucus and PDP National Campaign Council for Kogi State, led by His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.*
As we have seen in the last few weeks of PDP campaign, where the *Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ambassador Damagum, PDP Acting National Chairman, Professor Jerry Gana, Former Minister of Information and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, leading Dino’s campaign from Kogi Central, East and West.* These form a block support from all fronts for Dino. Aside the fact that Dino Melaye’s name is a household name in Nigerian political space, the INEC, Security agents and other election stakeholders are fully aware of Dino’s massive support, contacts, influence and capacity that is rested and deployed to Dino’s candidature, hence, they should adjust and take proper dressing in the discharge of their duties without bias during and after the election.
Frankly speaking, with due respect to other parties, all the above are essential factors and indispensable structures in a party and election. The above cannot be said about the *ADC or AA party. This is a fact and not a fiction!* They are completely absent in both parties. No party goes to such an important election of such magnitude as a political orphan.
Interestingly, Senator Dino Melaye, been an experienced, reknown, popular and vibrant legislator is the *only Governorship Candidate in Kogi State that nominates a “Female Deputy Governor”. This is applaudable, historic and gender sensitive!*
Moreso, *PDP is not a party that can be looked down on, manipulated, brushed aside to create any funny circumstance. It is a National Party and will be accorded, respected and treated as such by those that will be in-cgarge of this election.*
Great people of Okun and Kogi West in particular, let’s drop our personal sentiments, ego and grievances, forgive one another and support Dino Melaye of the PDP to jointly confront this dangerous third term agenda and maladministration in other to usher in good governance by making great history in our time.
*Gbenga Bright Oluade,*
*Kogi West Senatorial District*
