Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not want elections to take place in the next electoral cycle, raising fresh concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday morning, where he criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of growing increasingly desperate in the face of emerging opposition.
According to him, the APC is unsettled by what he described as a growing shift of politicians and supporters towards the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he said is fast becoming a formidable opposition platform.
“The APC has become so desperate. They have seen that ADC is the only opposition we have in Nigeria to challenge,” Melaye said during the interview.
He further claimed that the ruling party is worried about the increasing number of defections from various political parties into the ADC, suggesting that this trend has triggered panic within APC ranks.
“They have seen the exodus of people from various political parties into the ADC and they are panicked. I’m shocked why they are panicked. You say you have 32 governors, so why are you afraid?” he added.
Melaye insisted that the issue goes beyond party politics, framing it instead as a broader concern about democratic principles in the country. He accused President Tinubu of harbouring intentions that undermine electoral processes.
“It is not about ADC. It is about democracy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to be coronated. He does not want an election. It is a Kabiyesi mentality,” he said.
His comments come shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) removed the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively.
INEC also clarified that it would not recognise any factions within the party, nor would it monitor conventions or congresses organised by groups aligned with the affected leaders. The development has added another layer of tension within the opposition party and raised questions about its internal leadership structure.
The unfolding political developments are likely to intensify debate over the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions as the next election cycle approaches, with observers closely watching how both the ruling party and opposition forces navigate the evolving landscape.
