Former lawmaker who represented Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, has highlighted why the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi cannot be Nigeria’s president.
Speaking during an appearance on the KAA Truths podcast on Thursday, Melaye described Obi as a regional champion, stressing that no regional champion can be president of Nigeria.
Melaye, who spoke about the political landscape of Nigeria, said the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar is a nationalist.
He acknowledged that his comments might sound awkward or offensive but maintained that his position was based on his assessment of Nigerian politics.
“Atiku is a nationalist. Obi is a regional champion. It may sound awkward. It may sound offensive but Obi is a good man and he’s my friend. I have respect for him but he’s a regional champion and no regional champion in this country will ever be president,” he said.
The former lawmaker also cited the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as an example, describing him as a brilliant and exceptional leader but arguing that his regional political identity affected his presidential ambitions.
“Awolowo, fantastic man, brilliant, exquisite, cosmopolitan, leader par excellence but he was a regional champion. He contested for the presidency of this country, he could only win convincingly only in the Southwest, because he’s not a nationalist in that regard of politics,” Melaye added.
2027: Peter Obi can’t be Nigeria’s president, he’s a regional champion — Dino Melaye