Politics 6 Influential Nigerians After Senator Dino Melaye

P

PressRoom

Guest
Controversial, outspoken Nigerian lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, is in the news again – this time, in an assassination attempt on his life. This is coming shortly after the recent alleged certificate scandal by Sahara Reporters. The recent assassination attempt on Melaye's life is not something to be ignored. Though the Nigerian Police Force has arrested seven people over alleged attempt on Melaye's life, but begs the question of who are those that seek the downfall of the outspoken lawmaker. Melaye, too, on his part has stepped on toes on some prominent Nigerians, who may be aggrieved, BUT NOT AFTER HIS LIFE.

Some of those Melaye has had feud with include:

upload_2017-4-18_10-37-31.png


1. Yahaya Bello: Senator Dino Melaye and his state governor, Yahaya Bello are not in good terms. He once referred to Governor Yahaya Bello as a small rat in politics, and as well accused him of squandering the state funds. He also described Bello's 2017 budget proposal as a ‘monumental fraud’. So all is not well with his relationship with Yahaya Bello.

2. Omoyele Sowore: Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters just had a feud with the controversial lawmaker over certificate scandal as exposed by his online news medium. Sahara Reporters alleged that Melaye did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University as he claims. The claims were debunked by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, insisting that based on records, he graduated from the institution.

3. Ali Ndume: Both Senator Dino Melaye and Ali Ndume are not in good terms. Ali Ndume of Borno South was in January 2017 removed as the Senate Leader by APC caucus and replaced with Ahmed Lawan of Yobe North. Thirty-nine out of the 63 All Peoples Congress (APC) senators signed the letter which demanded for the replacement of Ali Ndume. Dino Melaye was among the Senators that endorsed the 'Notice of Vote of No Confidence/Change of Leadership’ letter to the Senate. Melaye's certificate scandal issue was also one of the reasons Ali Ndume was handed a 6-month suspension. Ndume had called on the upper chamber of the National Assembly to investigate the certificate scandal involving Senator Dino Melaye.

4. Ibrahim Magu: Senator Dino Melaye was a major proponent to why Ibrahim Magu was not confirmed by the Red Chambers as EFCC Chair. The Senate, for the second time on March 14, rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after the State Security Service, SSS, reaffirmed its position that the nominee lacks integrity to lead the country’s anti-corruption agency. Mr. Magu's rejection was premised on a DSS report, dated March 14 raised by Senator Dino Melaye. Likewise in December 2016, Melaye and Senator Ali Ndume engaged in a fierce exchange of words during a pre-sitting meeting in the office of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

It was gathered that while Ndume gave nod to the screening of Magu, Melaye on the other hand, kicked against it, after which they were locked in a shouting match.

5. Hameed Ali: Just like he opposed the confirmation of Magu as the chief, Senator Dino Melaye also contributed to why Senate sent out the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Hameed Ali, after he appeared before the lawmakers in mufti. Mr. Ali’s appearance without uniform, last Thursday after his failure to appear on Wednesday, was contrary to the resolution of the Senate which asked that he must wear “appropriate” uniform to brief them over the now suspended policy on duty payment. Again, he is expected to appear the Red Chambers today but said he won't honour the invitation. He explained that his decision not to appear before the senate was based on a writ of summons he received on a case filed by a lawyer at an Abuja court, and noted that it would be subjudice for him to appear before the Senate on the pending issues before them which were also part of what was before the court.

6. Presidency – Abba Kyari, Itse Sagay, Lauretta Onochie: Senator Dino Melaye has been he number one enemy of the Presidency. He has successfully, instigated point of order and actions against President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government. At a time, he declared that he will be President of the country one day.

He has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari's actitivites at the Centre, Buhari's appointees, Babachir Lawal over North east grass contract scam. Many a times, the Kogi-born senator had also pledged his loyalty to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki as an instrument to his emergence, Code of Conduct Tribunal case and the Senate rules alleged forgery.

He punches the Presidency at times as a Senator. Little wonders, the likes of Lauretta Onochie reacted swiftly to his certificate scandal.
 
Back
Top