Former Kogi West Senator and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has asserted that any presidential candidate fielded by the ADC would perform significantly better than President Bola Tinubu if elected.
Speaking during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Melaye criticised the current administration and expressed confidence that the opposition could defeat the president in a credible election.
According to him, “Anybody among those interested in the presidency in ADC would do one million times better than Tinubu. They can never be a worse president than Tinubu.”
Melaye also insisted that he personally has what it takes to defeat the president if a free and fair election is conducted.
“Me, Dino Melaye. Let’s go on a free and fair election… I will beat him flat in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Despite his strong comments, the former senator clarified that his immediate priority is not a personal presidential ambition but a united opposition effort to unseat the ruling party.
“My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away. Whoever emerges from consensus or from a primary, I will support,” he added.
He dismissed discussions around joint ticket arrangements, stressing that opposition unity and national interest remain paramount.
Melaye also alleged that there could be resistance to a transparent electoral process, urging for fairness ahead of future polls.
“Let him allow a free and fair contest. And if he doesn’t allow it, we will make him conduct our election,” he said, accusing the president of seeking excessive control.
He further criticised the involvement of unelected individuals in governance, referencing President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, and cited concerns previously raised by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
Melaye maintained that opposition figures are already strategising ahead of future elections, insisting that unity would be key to achieving electoral success.
The African Democratic Congress has not officially responded to his comments.
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