Kogi 2023 Guber Race: Criticisms Trail Dino Melaye’s Multi-million Naira Campaign Office
- There is no stopping us – Supporters boast
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Scathing comments and criticisms have continued to trail the unveiling of a state-of-the-art edifice erected by Senator Dino Melaye in the Kabba area of Kogi State as campaign headquarters to pursue his 2023 governorship ambition in the North Central State.
Focused on taking over the political baton from incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello, the former lawmaker, who was a member of the 8th Nigerian National Assembly, representing Kogi West Senatorial district, has come under public searchlight and scrutiny over the sprawling structure whose construction commenced last year.
Located in the highbrow area of Kabba town, the ultra-modern complex, which is fully furnished and already hosting political activities in top gear, is being greeted with mixed feelings as constituents continue to question the Senator’s impact on people’s lives in and out of the office except for his ostentatious lifestyle flaunted regularly on social media
Some of the constituents, speaking on condition of anonymity for now due to obvious political reasons, hinted that many of them are waiting for the former lawmaker, who once represented Kabba/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s primaries to extract their pound of flesh over what they described as his ‘politics of abandonment.’
Speaking on behalf of other aggrieved constituents, one of them told our correspondent, “Dino is always fond of always abandoning people after each election circle only to return on the eve of another round of elections when he is seeking their support and votes for his next political adventure.
“But he will be so disappointed this time around because many of us are ready to confront him on the basis of showing what he has done for the people in the last couple of years to deserve their support and continued loyalty ahead of the 2023 general elections.”
Also commenting on the imposing Campaign building that sits on a virgin land reportedly offered to him as part of support from political associates and the community towards his ambition of taking over from his friend turned foe, Governor Bello come 2023, another agitated member of his constituency bitterly said; “Let him point to one life-changing project that his being an elected representative has brought to the people to warrant him seeking another elective post, especially that of governor in the state.”
However, his supporters have described the current tirades against their principal as part of the blackmail and manipulations that come with every political activity during election time.
For them, Senator Melaye is warming up to have another go on his gubernatorial after the 2019 setback when he came third with a total of 70 votes behind Engineer Musa Wada who won with 748 votes in the PDP primary election
Anchoring the governorship ambition on his desire to transform Kogi State, the man, with a commanding social media presence, is upbeat that the project continues to receive endorsements from PDP stalwarts and political heavyweights as his campaign train traverses constituencies and the state seeking the people’s blessing to manage the affairs of State as Kogi Chief Executive come 2023.
The Kogi gubernatorial election is slated for November 2023 with the incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello of All Progressives Congress (APC) already term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
