Dino Melaye says he will defeat Tinubu only if…
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The iNews Times reports that Dino Melaye says he will defeat Tinubu in a free and fair election, while also declaring that his immediate priority is backing a united opposition candidate capable of unseating the incumbent President in 2027.
The former Kogi West senator made the remarks during an interview on Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, where he strongly criticised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expressed confidence that any credible opposition candidate would outperform the current government.
“My brother, anybody among those interested in presidency in ADC would do one million times better than Tinubu. They can never be a worse president than Tinubu,” Melaye stated during the interview.
His comments come amid rising political realignments and coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Reinforcing the central theme that Dino Melaye says he will defeat Tinubu under credible conditions, the former lawmaker insisted that he personally has the political strength to unseat the President if the electoral process is transparent.
“Me, Dino Melaye. Let’s go on a free and fair election,” he said emphatically.
“I will beat him flat in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Melaye’s declaration adds to the growing chorus of opposition voices questioning the performance of the current administration and positioning themselves for the next electoral cycle.
Political observers note that such statements are part of early narrative-building strategies designed to energise support bases long before formal campaign season begins.
Despite his strong personal confidence, Dino Melaye says he will defeat Tinubu only if the broader opposition movement is united.
He stressed that his immediate goal is not necessarily securing a personal ticket but ensuring that a consensus candidate emerges to challenge the ruling party effectively.
“My own for now is that we must send Tinubu away. Whoever emerges from consensus or from a primary, I will support,” Melaye said.
This statement signals his alignment with coalition-building efforts currently being discussed among opposition figures. Analysts say that unity may be the most critical factor for any viable challenge in 2027, given Nigeria’s electoral arithmetic and regional voting patterns.
In the interview, Melaye also raised concerns about whether the President would permit what he described as a truly credible election.
“Let him allow a free and fair contest. And if he doesn’t allow it, we will make him conduct our election. Because he doesn’t want election. He wants to be Kabiyesi. He wants to be Igwe,” he said.
The remarks underscore recurring debates in Nigeria about electoral transparency, independence of institutions, and confidence in democratic processes.
While no official response was immediately issued from the Presidency regarding Melaye’s comments, the administration has consistently maintained its commitment to constitutional governance and democratic norms.
Addressing speculation about potential joint tickets or political bargaining, Melaye dismissed the idea that his focus is on securing a particular slot.
“I am not interested in any joint ticket or non-joint ticket, we are only interested in rescuing this country,” he said.
The emphasis on “rescuing the country” echoes a recurring slogan among opposition blocs attempting to frame the 2027 election as a referendum on governance.
According to political analysts, early coalition conversations often revolve around three major elements; agreement on a single presidential candidate, regional balancing considerations, policy alignment across opposition platforms.
Melaye’s remarks suggest that opposition leaders may be working behind the scenes to prevent fragmentation of votes.
In addition to electoral issues, Melaye raised concerns about governance and alleged undue influence by individuals not holding elective office.
He specifically mentioned the President’s son, Seyi Tinubu, claiming that unelected persons should not interfere in public administration.
“My son will not interfere with governance. My son will not summon DGs of parastatals and agencies of government and ministers,” Melaye stated.
He further referenced comments previously made by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, suggesting that public discourse has increasingly focused on the role of politically exposed family members.
It is important to note that such allegations remain part of political debate, and no formal findings have been publicly presented to substantiate claims of institutional interference.
As Dino Melaye says he will defeat Tinubu, the political landscape in Nigeria is gradually shifting toward early positioning for 2027.
Although the next general election remains over a year away, opposition leaders are already building narratives, strengthening alliances, and appealing to voters dissatisfied with current economic and governance conditions.
The ruling party, meanwhile, continues to defend its record on economic reforms, infrastructure development, and fiscal restructuring.
Political analysts caution that bold declarations at this stage are strategic moves aimed at shaping perception rather than immediate electoral realities. However, they also note that public sentiment over the next two years could significantly influence the political equation.
The iNews Times will continue to monitor developments surrounding Dino Melaye’s declaration that he will defeat Tinubu, coalition negotiations among opposition parties, and emerging strategies ahead of 2027.
As Nigeria approaches another defining electoral cycle, unity, credibility, and voter confidence may ultimately determine the outcome.
For now, one message from Melaye stands clear: he believes a transparent contest would change the political equation.
