Dino Melaye, former senator representing Kogi West, has spoken out again regarding his fallout with Nyesom Wike, the Governor of Rivers State.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains have been at loggerheads over the past few weeks, with their spat beginning on April 11 when Wike stated that Melaye did not have what it takes to be governor.
In response to this comment, Melaye alleged that the Rivers Governor’s stance against his candidacy was due to his refusal to support Wike’s presidential ambition.
During a chat with Arise TV on Wednesday, Melaye explained that he never “spoke derogatorily” about Wike during the presidential election campaign, adding that while he acknowledged Wike had assisted him in the past, it “does not mean you will ask me to donate my liver and kidney.”
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According to Melaye, Wike’s support for him was an investment in the party.
“Because you supported me in 2015 does not mean you will ask me to donate my liver and kidney. I will not do that. Wike, himself, has always been supported by PDP. Anything he’s doing to members of the PDP is like giving back to the party,” he said.
“But you do not help people with the intention of enslaving them. Or control them and run their lives. God can assist you through anybody. But because I refuse to support his presidential ambition, I became an unqualified candidate.”
Furthermore, during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Melaye stated that God “bankrolled” his election, claiming that he gave anointing oil to delegates during the Kogi PDP governorship primary election.
The former senator secured 313 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Idoko Ilonah, who polled 124 votes.
When asked to react to allegations that money was shared with delegates during the primary election, some aspirants who contested the PDP primary election have rejected the outcome, alleging that the delegates’ list was manipulated.
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Melaye said that he is not a staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and has no knowledge of money-sharing.
Melaye added that there is a problem if he cannot single-handedly finance a primary election. “God bankrolled me. I banked with the Almighty God,” he said.
“I gave them [delegates] anointing oil and it did the magic. I believe in Philippians 4:19 — God shall supply all my needs, according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
The former senator also stated that the people of Kogi state are “living in perilous times” and that his administration would resolve the challenges.
“We are living in opprobrium,” he said.
