KOGI GOV’SHIP POLLS: APC Warns Gov Adeleke Over Dino Melaye’s Defeat

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has stated that the defeat of Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Kogi State gubernatorial election, should serve as a lesson for Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC, has declared Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of Kogi State governorship polls despite elections being suspended in some locations due to discrepancies.

Melaye was defeated in the 2023 Kogi gubernatorial election where the APC’s Usman Ahmed Ododo emerged as the winner and Governor Adeleke served as the campaign chairman of the PDP in the election.

In a statement signed by the Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, he also described Melaye’s defeat as the political demystification of Adeleke.

The statement reads, “The Kogi State gubernatorial election results should serve as a metaphorical mirror for Adeleke, reflecting his political emptiness. With Melaye’s defeat, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, the outcome in Kogi State this year might mirror the scenario in Osun State’s 2026 governorship election.”

Lawal explained that Adeleke inadvertently brought political misfortune to Kogi State, having been overestimated by the national leadership of the PDP, who appointed him as the campaign chairman.

“It’s now evident that those who believed Adeleke possessed a tested election strategy, one that secured victories for him and his party in recent Osun elections, will realize that the upstart governor relied mainly on luck. He escaped consequences despite committing misconduct in those elections, leveraging compromised security agents and political tactics to manipulate the will of the electorate.

“The fallout from the Kogi State gubernatorial election will halt the unfounded confidence of Governor Adeleke in Kogi State. His presumption that chairing the campaign would guarantee a repeat of electoral success, akin to what occurred fraudulently in Osun, will likely be shattered.”

“I question why Governor Adeleke didn’t disclose to his appointees, who entrusted him with the Kogi State governorship election campaign, that his victory was costly. Over 30 innocent state APC members lost their lives due to PDP-related violence.”

“Currently, there is no escape for you, Adeleke, and your allies. My party, the APC, will use all constitutional means to dislodge you from office in the 2026 governorship elections.”

“Your premonition about being an illegal occupant in the Osun State Government House seems apparent, considering your lack of sleep since your administration’s inauguration about a year ago.”

While urging Governor Adeleke to distribute the Federal Government’s N9 Billion fuel subsidy removal palliative to the state’s people, Lawal reminded Adeleke that in 2026, voters will use their cards to vote him out.

He also warned, “If Governor Adeleke intends to delay the Federal Government palliative until the first anniversary of his administration in a few days, he will face resistance from the conscious members of society.”