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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Sen. Dino Melaye, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct and outcome of the 2022 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Melaye, while featuring on TVC’s current affairs programme, ‘Journalists’ Hangout,’ backed the presidential aspiration of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, saying he will win the 2023 poll with a landslide.
The former lawmaker equally expressed his confidence in the party’s ability to wrestle power from the APC in 2023.
According to him, the convention produced the best candidate to fly the party’s flag in a free and fair contest that every participant is proud of.
Speaking on why he switched his support from his perceived ally former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to Atiku, Melaye explained that 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. 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 everywhere 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 on his defeat at the PDP’s senatorial primary, the former lawmaker said all that happened at the election has become history and he doesn’t want to discuss it again.
“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,” he said.
Melaye also dismissed the insinuations that Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, betrayed his colleague and fellow aspirant, Nyesom Wike, when he announced his withdrawal from the contest and directed his supporters to vote for Atiku.
He said Tambuwal did not betray Wike as there was no written agreement between the two of them.
“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.
“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.