Former federal lawmaker and ex-PDP governorship candidate in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, has declared that the 2027 general elections will be a decisive contest between suffering Nigerians and the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Speaking during a television programme on Friday, Melaye criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the current state of the nation as unprecedentedly dire.
He said, “We are in a precarious situation in this country, like we have never been. It has never been this disastrous, it has never been this terrible”, Melaye said. “The hunger in this country is chartered; people are dying of malnutrition in rural communities. People are now visiting garbage centres to look for food crumbs”, he added.
He noted that even distributing food in rural areas has become dangerous due to widespread desperation. “Just announce that you want to share bags of rice in your village. If you’re not careful, there will be casualties due to the struggle to get one or two tins of rice”, he warned.
Melaye, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), described the APC as rudderless and accused it of steering the country into both economic and social collapse.
He also criticised the PDP, describing it as an extension of the ruling party. According to him, the PDP has failed in its role as the opposition and is now merely following directives from the presidency.
Melaye expressed dismay over the conduct of PDP governors, claiming they no longer behave like opposition leaders.
Referencing a recent interview granted by former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, Melaye questioned the sincerity of PDP members who claim to be in opposition. “He said if we could tolerate Buhari for eight years, then we should tolerate Tinubu for another four. Is that the voice of an opposition figure?” he queried.
Concluding his remarks, Senator Melaye reaffirmed that the ADC remains an independent political force. He insisted that his defection was not for personal gain, but a principled stand with Nigerians facing hardship.
