A former federal lawmaker representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has reaffirmed his personal loyalty to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar while making it clear that he remains politically independent and guided by personal convictions.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Friday evening, Melaye addressed questions surrounding his relationship with Atiku, his political ideology, and loyalty to party and people.
“By the grace of God, I have an indestructible relationship with President… oh, may it be so… former Vice President Atiku Abubakar,” Melaye said, correcting himself mid-sentence with a chuckle. “But that does not mean that I do not have my own principles as a human being, that I do not have my own ideology. And when Atiku is not doing the right thing, I will say so. In fact, any human being at all for that matter.”
Melaye emphasised that his allegiance to Atiku was not a blind loyalty, but rather a shared political bond rooted in ideological alignment. “I share a very strong political relationship with Atiku Abubakar and there’s no regret,” he noted.
However, the former Kogi lawmaker was quick to assert his political independence. “I am a member of ADC. I follow no one, I only follow Christ,” he declared, drawing a clear line between political affiliation and personal conviction.
Melaye also dismissed any insinuations that he lacked the political pedigree to stand on his own, referencing his previous electoral victories: “I will start by saying that I am not a teen. I have won elections in this country, to the House of Representatives, to the Senate. If there is a convergence of ideology with Atiku Abubakar, it is a fantastic thing. But I am a man of my own.”
When asked about other personal relationships and political choices, Melaye cited former Senate President Bukola Saraki as an example. “Bukola Saraki is my friend and is still my friend. He ran for presidency and I did not support him, and that did not have any negative concomitant effect on our friendship.”
He concluded with a message on loyalty and public service, saying: “It is greater to be loyal to humanity than to be loyal to your friend, because at the end of the day, it is the people that matter, and I love the people.”
