Verbal attacks on Rep Abejide: ‘He is a comedian’, group slams Melaye, questions his pedigree, others
A grassroot forum of voters in Kogi State on the aegis of Ijumu Voters Forum (IYF) has slammed former Senator Dino Melaye over his recent comments on the Chairman, House Committee on Customs, Honourable Leke Abejide, describing Melaye as a content creator that should be ignored by the general public.
The Forum questioned Melaye’s pedigree, academic qualification, service delivery and quality of his representation while in the National Assembly compared to Abejide.
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The former Senator had recently criticized Abejide over the crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Melaye, addressing journalists after a meeting of his faction of ADC in Kogi West Senatorial District in Kabba, at the weekend claimed Abejide, the sole elected member of the party had been expelled and is now “partiless”. He called Abejide an “imbecile”, “local content” and “intellectually stagnant character”, among other name-calling.
Responding to Melaye’s attack on the federal lawmaker, the IVF in a statement signed by its coordinator, Honourable Eleta Kelvin Oluseyi, on Monday, said the former Senator Melaye lacks the moral ground and public record required to speak or apologize to Okun people on behalf of anyone.
According to the Forum, Melaye’s years in public office were marked by noise rather than results, drama rather than development, and controversy instead of service.
“Leadership is measured by impact, and by that standard, his record falls short of what the people of Kogi West deserved.
“As a former Senator who represented Kogi West in the 8th Senate, Dino Melaye became more widely known for public stunts and political quarrels than for meaningful contributions to his constituency.
“The former Senator earned national nicknames that turned him into a spectacle rather than a statesman. Instead of building alliances that could attract projects and opportunities to the district, he chose battles that isolated him and dragged the name of Kogi West into needless public disputes.
“The people he now claims to represent did not benefit from concrete development during his time in office. There were no visible employment schemes for the youths, no sustained empowerment programs, and no lasting projects that changed the daily lives of ordinary people. What the people witnessed were songs, viral moments, and empty political fights that added no value to the region.
“In his hometown of Ayetoro-Gbede, the story of the abandoned fuel station stands as a symbol of missed opportunities. For nearly fifteen years, the project remained incomplete. If finished, it could have improved local business activities and provided jobs for many young people. Instead, it was left to decay while Dino Melaye expanded business interests in Abuja, Dubai, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world. This pattern raises serious questions about where his true priorities have always been.”
While calling on Abejide to remain focused and continue his work without being drawn into avoidable political drama, the Forum said:” Hon. Leke Abejide has built a record that speaks for itself. He has facilitated job opportunities, supervised the construction of asphalt roads, improved school infrastructure, and carried out empowerment programmes that reached students, youths, women, and families across Okunland. His work has produced visible results that people can point to and feel in their everyday lives.
“As sons and daughters of Okunland, many people reject attempts to ridicule a leader who has delivered tangible projects and opportunities.”
The Forum said attempt by Dino Melaye to discredit Leke Abejide does not reflect the reality on the Ground, describing the move as “a desperate effort to remain relevant in a political environment that has moved beyond noise and drama.
“Public trust in Dino Melaye declined sharply after his inability to command sufficient support even within familiar political circles, especially during the 2023 governorship election. A leader who cannot secure the confidence of his own base cannot credibly claim to speak for an entire people.
“The message to Dino Melaye is simple. Leadership demands discipline, humility, and service. The younger generation no longer celebrates empty showmanship. They demand results, integrity, and visible progress. It is time to end the distractions, abandon personal attacks, and either learn the hard lessons of leadership or step aside. We need human investment, and not flaunting of luxury cars and expensive homes.”
