Former senator Dino Melaye has made it clear that his longstanding alliance with Atiku Abubakar will never compromise his independence or silence his voice when the need arises.
Speaking during a recent interview, Melaye dismissed suggestions that he blindly follows the former Vice President, asserting that while their political paths may sometimes align, he remains his own man with firm principles.
“I’ve been elected multiple times—into the House of Reps, into the Senate—I didn’t ride on anyone’s back,” he said. “I value my relationship with Atiku, but it doesn’t mean I’ll hold back criticism when necessary.”
Melaye, who served as spokesperson for the PDP’s 2023 presidential campaign, recently left the party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). According to him, the move was driven by what he described as the PDP’s loss of direction and weakened leadership.
“The party I once believed in has become deeply fractured. Leadership failed, and the structure collapsed,” he remarked.
Despite his close ties with Atiku, Melaye clarified that the former Vice President has not indicated any interest in running under the ADC in the 2027 election. “Right now, the priority is strengthening the ADC, not speculating about candidacies,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his belief in the ADC’s future, expressing confidence that the party could field a strong contender to challenge and possibly unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.
