On Tuesday 10 November 2026, African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain and former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye accused President Bola Tinubu of making remarks that could incite political violence across Nigeria. Melaye said the President’s statements that “all is fair in politics” and “take it, grab it, and run away with it” could be interpreted as endorsing electoral malpractice and undemocratic practices.
“What you are saying is that rigging is fair politics. No, that is exactly what he said. When you say ‘all’, there is no exclusion,” Melaye told DCL. He questioned what kind of leader would make such comments, adding, “Which democrat talks like that? So he's the one who ignited violence in our politics.”
Melaye also alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has encouraged attacks on opposition figures. He cited incidents involving APC chieftain Adams Oshiomhole in Ekiti, Labour Party’s Peter Obi in Benue and former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar in Kebbi, noting that “that’s why Atiku’s car was shot at in Kebbi. That’s why six vehicles were shot at in Kebbi. That’s why we have people with gun wounds, because the President has made pronouncements that ignite violence.”
- Adams Oshiomhole – Ekiti
- Peter Obi – Benue
- Atiku Abubakar – Kebbi
He warned that Nigeria’s unity should not be taken for granted, citing the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Somalia, Sudan and the ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict as examples of countries that have suffered serious political and territorial crises. “My pain is that with an estimated 250 million people, no country in the world can take our refugees. So Tinubu will have to be very, very careful,” Melaye said.
When asked whether he was challenging Tinubu’s constitutional right to contest the 2027 presidential election, Melaye clarified that he was not calling on the President to abandon his re‑election ambition. Instead, he urged that anyone seeking the presidency must satisfy the constitution’s requirements of physical and mental fitness, stating, “I’m not saying he should not contest. But if you go by the constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, you must be physically fit to be president. You must be mentally fit to be president.” He added that Tinubu is “deficient in both” and challenged the President to release himself for medical examination to prove him wrong.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
