I’ll defeat Tinubu in free, fair election — Dino Melaye

Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has declared that he can defeat President Bola Tinubu in a credible election, while stressing that his immediate priority remains supporting a united opposition front ahead of future polls.

Melaye made the assertion during an interview on Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, where he criticised the current administration and expressed confidence in the opposition’s chances under a transparent electoral process.

According to him, any presidential aspirant emerging from the coalition platform of the African Democratic Congress would outperform the incumbent. He argued that the current leadership had fallen short of expectations, insisting that “anybody among those interested in presidency in ADC would do far better than Tinubu.”

The former lawmaker maintained that he would personally defeat the President if he chose to contest, emphasising his belief in a level playing field. “Let’s go on a free and fair election,” he said, adding that he would “beat him flat” in a credible contest conducted across the country.

Despite his bold claim, Melaye clarified that his focus is not solely on personal ambition but on unseating the current administration through a collective opposition effort. He noted that he would support any candidate that emerges through consensus or party primaries within the coalition.

“My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away. Whoever emerges from consensus or from a primary, I will support,” he stated.

Melaye, however, raised concerns about the possibility of a transparent electoral process, alleging that the President may be reluctant to allow a truly free and fair contest. He added that opposition forces would insist on credible elections, regardless of perceived resistance.

In his remarks on governance, the former senator criticised what he described as undue influence by unelected individuals, specifically referencing the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu. He alleged that such involvement undermines democratic principles and accountability.

“My son will not interfere with governance. My son will not summon directors-general of agencies, ministers, or parastatal heads,” he said.

Melaye also pointed to concerns previously raised by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka regarding the growing prominence of non-elected actors in governance, while questioning the activities associated with political support groups such as the City Boy Movement.

On coalition dynamics, he dismissed debates around joint tickets, insisting that the overriding objective of opposition stakeholders is national interest and political change. He stressed that unity among opposition figures would be critical to achieving electoral success in the next general election.