Okun Leaders Agree to Replace Melaye

• Senator: They have monetised their conscience

By Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

The people of Kogi West senatorial district have agreed to replace Senator Dino Melaye in the 2019  election just as Melaye alleged that the group has monetised their conscience. 

Already, a group under the umbrella of Okun Leaders Forum (OLF) has begun shopping for his replacement ahead of the 2019 senatorial elections in Kogi State. 

The group made their stand known at a meeting held in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of the state at the weekend.

The leaders penciled down the member representing Kabba/Bunu-Ijumu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, to contest for the seat of the Senate.

Speaking with journalists in Isanlu, the Patron of OLF, Chief Arowosafe Jemigbon, noted that Kogi West people could not afford to continue with the leadership style of  Melaye.

He said the embattled lawmaker has turned legislative business to “show of assets,” urging the political stakeholders of the zone to “kick-start the process of wooing Yusuf to replace him in 2019.  

“Yusuf would defeat Melaye in 2019 and it won’t be a surprise to us because he did that in the 2011 House of Representatives when Melaye’s second term bid could not materialise.” 

The group leader described Melaye’s two years so far in the Senate as “a total failure and poor representation to the people of Kogi West. 

 “As it stands today in Kogi West, it has become the more you look, nothing you see. There is no important project going on in our dear district, yet some people go around making questionable endorsements.” 

Earlier, the President of the group, Dr. Omolade Ojo, pleaded with Yusuf not to disappoint the Okun leaders by answering their call without delay.

However, Melaye in his reaction, said: “The group members have monetised their consciences, and I know the Yusuf in question is wise enough to know that the group has no loco standing to make such claims.”

The senator who reacted through his legislative aides, Mr. Gideon Ayodele, said the “impostors” who came under the platform OLF are not in anyway or at any time known in Okun land, either as elite or politicians, not even in any Okun communities. 

 “The said group has monetised its consciences. If really they are not masquerades, let them show their real identities.  “It is simply clear that the said individuals have not been able to enjoy selfish financial gains from Melaye. 

 “For anybody to say that there is no meaningful project going on in Kogi West shows they are far from the truth as the district has enjoyed great input from his representative.”