Senator Dino Melaye, who represented Kogi West in the eighth Assembly has revealed the reason he supported former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar during the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Melaye said he choose Atiku because he is a known politician and a unifier who can unite the country.
He stated this while featuring on TVC’s current affairs programme, Journalists’ Hangout, adding that Atiku will win the 2023 poll with a landslide.
“Alhaji Atiku is sound and healthy, politically sagacious and intellectually sound. Atiku will not fail, he will win by a landslide. Whatever APC is going to do in terms of manipulation, Atiku is the next president of Nigeria. Our convention has shown that we are more united than ever. We are on big family,” he added.
The former lawmaker explained that he never switched his support from the former Senator President, Bukola Saraki to Atiku.
According to him, he supported Saraki 100 per cent while he was with him.
“I did not switch support from Saraki to Atiku. I was 100 per cent with Saraki when I was with him. I have no problem with Saraki, I still saw him this morning and we both laughed together.
“I chose Atiku this time because I have to stay with the known to the unknown. At this time, we need a unifier, who can unite Nigeria. One who cannot be seen as a Muslim, or Christian. Atiku is a popular person whose name is known every in Nigeria. So I moved from unknown to known. So, I did not switch support but support the man who can make Nigeria great,” Melaye said.
Speaking about his defeat at the party’s senatorial primary, Melaye said, “I have moved on. All that happened in the Senate rerun have become history. I really don’t want to dwell on the past. That primary has gone and I have moved on.
“As a Senator, in terms of representation, I did my best because I implemented so many projects. In the history of the National Assembly, I have the highest number of bills. The records are there, they are incontrovertible. I did my best for my people.”
Melaye rubbished claims that Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, betrayed his colleague and fellow governor, Nyesom Wike, when he steeped down down for Atiku.
He said there can’t be betrayal as there was no written agreement between the two governors and presidential aspirants.
“Governor Tambuwal saw the necessity to elect a candidate that can unite Nigeria because our dear nation needs a father figure who can unite everyone. Someone who will be able to unite Nigeria and that person is Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
