Kogi-West Senator Insists He Won Election Re-Run By Large Margin

👤 Adenike Lucas, DENISAURUS News

Dino Melaye, 46, believes he won the recently concluded senatorial election in Kogi-West, although the election umpires are calling it inconclusive and determined to conduct supplementary voting soon.

The election re-run was conducted, after the National Assembly/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Lokoja sacked the vocal lawmaker who has represented Kogi-West Senatorial constituency since 2015.

Observers from the U.S., EU, UK, all raised concerns about the election in Kogi, which was marred by violence.

Those who monitored the elections reported that there were fatalities among voters and supporters – one of the casualties was Senator Melaye’s nephew, who died few hours into the election.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Tribunal Sacks KOGI WEST Senator, Dino Melaye

Speaking in a video released a few minutes ago, the lawmaker, who once survived a recall petition sponsored by Yayaha Bello, the Governor of Kogi, argued that his opponent, Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not score 80,118 votes in the election held on Saturday (November 16).

“I said in Egbada ward, (Mathew Kolawole) the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, led thugs to cart away ballot boxes,” Senator Melaye said.

On Saturday, the incumbent Governor Bello was returned after defeating the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.

But, Senator Melaye, who has been vocal against Governor Bello over his failure to pay salaries said the elections were rigged.

“And all these ballot boxes where taken to a designated centre, all thumb printed in favour of APC and these results returned in favour of APC.

“All areas where they were killing and shooting, helicopter releasing tear gas, results were returned.

“I won the elections because I have the polling results. I won the election with a wide margin and no body will take my seat in the National Assembly.”

The lawmaker remains the representative of Kogi-West, at least until the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts a supplementary election in the state.