Dino Melaye, senator standing for Kogi west, has expressed interest in the November 16 gubernatorial election in Kogi state, as per sources.
One of Melaye’s associates informed TheCable that the legislator announced his gubernatorial aspirations at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathering in Aiyetoro Gbede, his birthplace in Kabba local government area of the state.
“He (Melaye) has conversed with PDP leaders in Aiyetoro Gbede and communicated his intention to contend for governor. He will still make an official announcement,” the source, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated.
Efforts to contact Melaye on Saturday evening did not result in success as his phone was unreachable.
To fulfill his goal of becoming governor, Melaye will need to surpass Abubakar Idris, son of a previous governor, along with other candidates for the opposition party’s nomination in the state.
Even if he secures the PDP nomination, Melaye still faces a formidable challenge from Yahaya Bello, the current governor of the state, who is pursuing a second term.
Melaye, who hosted the inauguration ceremony of Bello, had a falling out with the governor shortly after the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed control in Kogi.
When the conflict with Bello escalated, the legislator switched allegiance to the PDP from APC. He has accused the governor of orchestrating his troubles with law enforcement.
In March, he was brought before a court for the twelfth time since 2018, when he was initially charged with fabricating a plot to murder him.
The legislator had triumphed over Smart Adeyemi of the APC to retain his senatorial position. Ironically, Melaye, who was elected to the senate under the banner of the APC, had previously defeated Adeyemi, who was then a sitting senator and a member of the PDP.
