Kogi Recall: Group accuses Melaye of bribing two INEC staff

A pro-democracy group, Conscience Nigeriana, has accused Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State, in the National Assembly, of attempting to bribe two officials of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) with plots of land in order to forestall his recall from Senate.

The group, in a statement signed by George Solomon, remarked that Melaye, after initially boasting that his constituents would not sign up for his recall, was humbled with the report that 188,000 signed the recall petition which was sent to the INEC. “This figure,” Conscience Nigeriana observed, “is higher than the number of votes in the 2015 Kogi West Senatorial election.”

The group contended that Melaye’s realization that his days in the Senate are almost over, made him forge a document claiming that leaders of the Okun zone of Kogi State are opposed to his recall. Among the leaders named by Melaye were Professor Eyitayo Lambo, former Health Minister, and Chief Bayo Ojo, former Attorney-General of the Federation.

Conscience Nigeriana said that Melaye’s latest move was a meeting with two INEC officials in the last 48 hours to seek their support to save his job in the Senate. “The officials,” Conscience Nigeriana alleged, “include Mohammed A.T., Director of Operations; and Paul Ayize, Deputy Director, Voter Registry.”

The group alleged that Melaye promised to give them plots of land in Abuja if they could help save him from being recalled.

ALSO SEE: Saraki under pressure to save Melaye from Okun voters

Conscience Nigeriana warned INEC officials to give Melaye a wide berth before he lands them in trouble.

The group wondered why Melaye is fretting after boasting that signatures demanding his recall were forged. The group vowed it will continue to monitor any action aimed at muffling the voice of the people of Kogi West, who have made it clear they no longer want Melaye in the Senate.

“Kogi West is united for this historic task. Senators and other representatives of the people will begin to know that they cannot continue to disgrace their constituents like Dino has been doing. Dino must come home. Enough of his rape threat,” Conscience Nigeriana declared.

Melaye has been having a running battle with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State over politics of the state.

Senator Melaye could not be reached as at the time of this report to cross check the allegation. Calls to his telephone line could not go through.