2027: Tinubu Wants ‘Coronation’, Not Election — Dino Melaye

A one-time Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District of Kogi State an chieftainof the AfricanDemocraticCongress (ADC), Dino Melaye, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu was not interested in a democratic contest in 2027 general elelection but was instead seeking what he described as a “coronation” as President, while also accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of becoming increasingly desperate over the rising profile of the Opposition Coalition’s party, ADC.

Melaye made the remarks on Channels Television’s breakfast show on Thursday, where he alleged that the ruling party’s growing unease over the ADC was not just about political rivalry, but a broader threat to democratic values in the country.

Melaye alleged that President Tinubu did not appear interested in democratic competition, but rather in a political arrangement where power is retained through control and influence.

“President Bola Tinubu wants to be coronated; he doesn’t want an election,” he said.

According to him, the APC has become visibly uncomfortable with what he described as an “exodus” of politicians and supporters from other parties into the ADC, a development he said has exposed the ruling party’s fear despite its claims of political dominance across the country.

“The APC has become so desperate. The APC has seen that the ADC is the only party in the Federal Republic of Nigeria that can challenge them,” Melaye said.

“They’ve seen an exodus of movement from other parties into the ADC, and personally, I am shocked that they are scared. You say you have 32 governors, then why are you afraid?”

He argued that the issue at stake goes beyond the fortunes of the ADC as a political party, insisting that what is unfolding was a deeper test of Nigeria’s democratic health.

“So, it is not about the ADC; it is about democracy,” he added.

Melaye, who’s also a former member of the House of Representatives, also launched a direct attack on President Tinubu, accusing him of harbouring anti-democratic tendencies and seeking to entrench a system of political domination rather than submit himself to a genuine electoral contest.

“He wants us to practise a monarchical system of government, the ‘kabiyesi’ mentality where they will just be coronated.”

Melaye said Tinubu’s past political statements had long revealed what he described as a non-democratic disposition, but lamented that many Nigerians ignored those signs.

“We can see from what he said in 2023, that ‘it is my turn.’ No true democrat will say that,” he said.

“It is not a chieftaincy title.”

He also referenced another controversial statement previously associated with Tinubu, saying it reflected a troubling political mindset.

“The man who said ‘take it, grab it and run away with it’ — only a mafia will talk like that,” Melaye stated.

According to him, the President’s alleged inclination toward authoritarian politics did not emerge overnight, but had always been visible to discerning observers.

“The tendency to not be a democrat was always there, but Nigerians ignored it,” he said.

“Tinubu is a totalitarian.”