2027: We Won’t Surrender – Dino Melaye Sends Message To APC Supporters

Former senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has declared that former vice-president Atiku Abubakar will contest the 2027 presidential election and defeat President Bola Tinubu.

Melaye also argued that the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, should be seeking an alliance with Atiku rather than the other way around.

He made the remarks during an interview with DCL, where he dismissed suggestions that Atiku might not feature on the ballot in 2027.

“It is not a Volkswagen that pulls a lorry. It is a lorry that pulls a Volkswagen. So, you should be talking about Peter Obi working with Atiku, not the other way around. Atiku is too big for Peter Obi to back,” he said.

Addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku, Melaye urged them not to be discouraged by recent political developments, expressing confidence that the former vice-president would participate in the election.

“My message to APC supporters all over the world is: no retreat, no surrender. There is no tension. There is no need to worry. There is no need to panic. We are okay. We are organised. We are good,” he said.

The former lawmaker predicted that Atiku would defeat Tinubu at the polls, adding that the president and his supporting governors would suffer electoral humiliation.

“Atiku is going to be on the ballot. The elections will hold, and Atiku will win. Tinubu and his governors will be disgraced,” he declared.

Melaye also questioned the political influence of governors, citing the 2023 general election, when 12 serving governors contested senatorial seats but only three emerged victorious.

“He is claiming and shouting that he has Atiku governors, that he has three governors. In the 2023 election, 12 governors contested for Senate. Only three won. What can a governor do for you today in our politics?” he asked.

Reaffirming his position, Melaye insisted that Atiku would remain in the presidential race, warning against attempts to prevent him from contesting.

“There is no shaking. Atiku is the candidate, and he is going to contest this election. He will be on the ballot, except Tinubu is trying to give us the Yugoslavian idea,” he added.

Meanwhile, Paul Ibe, a media adviser to Atiku, has questioned the ability of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to guarantee impartial policing ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ibe, in a statement on Thursday, said the police chief’s assurance of a level playing field would not be enough to convince opposition parties without evidence of action against politically motivated attacks and threats.

He challenged the police to disclose the number of APC members arrested and prosecuted over alleged intimidation and attacks against opposition figures.

“IGP Tunji Disu’s assurance of a level playing field ahead of the 2027 general elections cannot, on its own, inspire confidence. Nigerians, especially those in the opposition, need evidence of impartial policing. We have heard enough promises,” he said.

Ibe also demanded explanations on the police response to reported attacks against opposition members across several states, including Lagos, Osun, Edo, Cross River, Kaduna, Kano and Kogi.

He called on the police to publish details of investigations, arrests and prosecutions arising from complaints of political violence.

According to him, credible elections require an environment where opposition supporters can freely organise, assemble and campaign without intimidation.

“Every threat left unaddressed emboldens those who believe that proximity to power places them above the law. Every failure to protect political opponents deepens the perception that the police serve the interests of the ruling party,” he said.

Ibe further argued that the IGP must take responsibility for preventing political violence, protecting victims and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

He maintained that the Nigeria Police Force must remain independent of partisan interests and should not be used to advance the electoral ambitions of any political party.

He concluded that until the police demonstrate impartiality through concrete actions, opposition parties would have little reason to trust assurances of a level playing field.