Smart Adeyemi’s decision to challenge my victory normal action of a “defeated and frustrated man” – Melaye

The Senator-elect for Kogi West Senatorial District, Otunba Dino Melaye, has described the recent move by the outgoing Senator, Smart Adeyemi, to challenge his victory at the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal as “normal action expected of a defeated and frustrated man”.

In a statement signed by his media aide Gideon Ayodele, the senator-elect said that for every polling unit, Senator Adeyemi and the PDP had their agents, who attested to the fact that the election was free, fair and credible.

Senator Adeyemi in the petition filed by his counsel, Mr J.O. Olatoke, SAN, claimed that Melaye was not duly elected or returned by the majority of the lawful votes cast during the election adding that he (Adeyemi) should be declared the winner.

He further stated that Melaye was also not qualified as at the time of the election to contest for the Kogi West Senatorial District by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), and therefore sought for his disqualification as the candidate for the election.

But the senator-elect, who is a former House of Representative member, insists his victory was an evidence of the long-desired yearnings for change by the good people of Kogi West against previous selection process under the PDP.

According to Melaye, Sen. Adeyemi never took his campaign to Koto-Karfe because he has severally in his usual manner made countless empty promises for the community without fulfilling any of such till date.

“As for Otunba Melaye the people at the grassroots are of high importance to him and as such he has taken his campaign to the nooks and crannies of the district.

“Smart Adeyemi believes in the old order of money politics which has failed with the level of awareness in our people. You cannot work with First Bank and receive your salary from UBA.

“Smart has invested heavily in Kwara State and it is time for him to go back to Kwara to seek for their votes. As for Kogi West senatorial district, we have been able with the support of the people to turn politicians like Smart Adeyemi into political vegetables”, the spokesman of the former rep member continued.

“Going to the tribunal to challenge God’s verdict is an attempt to further tell that he has lost his bearing and looking for a way-out to survive. Therefore, he should be reminded that when you throw up a knife, it will always fall on a side, so asking for another election will only finally bury the arrogant legislator politically.

“He advised Senator Smart to toe the path of his boss (President Jonathan) show of sportsmanship by conceding defeat in good faith”, he added.

“He, therefore, encouraged all the party faithful, his fans and supporters and all the good people of Kogi West senatorial district to remain law abiding as their mandate is intact and the era of impunity is over”, the statement concluded.