Okun Leaders Forum (OLF) in western senatorial district of Kogi state has said it was working to replace Senator Dino Melaye in 2019 senatorial election. But, in a swift reaction Senator Melaye alleged that the group has monetized their consciences. Th e group which made their stand known at a meeting held in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi state yesterday, is rooting the member representing Kabba/Bunu-Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable TajudeenYusuf to contest for the seat of Senate.
Speaking to newsmen in Isanlu, the Patron of OLF, Chief Arowosafe Jemigbon noted that Kogi West people could not aff ord to continue with the leadership style of Senator Dino Melaye. According to him, the embattled lawmaker has turned legislative business to “show of assets” and urged the political stakeholders of the zone to commence the process of wooing Honorable Teejay Yusuf to replace him in 2019. “Teejay Yusuf would defeat Melaye come 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 materialised.
” Th e group described Dino’s twoyears so far in the Senate as “a total failure and poor representation to the people of Kogi West”. He said “As it stands today in Kogi West, it has become the more you look, nothing you see. Th ere is no important project going on in our dear district, yet some people go around making questionable endorsements.” Earlier, president of the group, Dr. Omolade Ojo, pleaded with Yusuf not to disappoint the Okun leaders by answering their call without delay. Meanwhile, Senator Dino Melaye in his reaction said “the group has monetized their consciences and I know the Hon. Tajudeen . J Yusuf in a question is wise enough to know that the group has no loco standing to make such claims.” Th e Senator who reacted through his legislative aids, Mr Gideon Ayodele, said the impostors that came on the platform, OLF are not in anyway or at anytime known in the Okun land, either as elites nor politicians, not even in any Okun communities. “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 selfi sh fi nancial gains from senator Dino Melaye. “For anybody to say that there is no meaningful project going on in Kogi West shows they are far from the truth as Kogi West Senatorial District with great input from its representative”.
