Dino Melaye on losing streak in Kogi senatorial election

The All Progressives Congress candidate in the Kogi West senatorial district rerun election, Smart Adeyemi, has defeated the incumbent Senator of the district Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party in four local governments out of five declared so far by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Adeyemi polled a total of 52,789 votes while Melaye had 37,856 votes in the five local governments.

The five Local governments are; Ijimu, Kabba Bunu, Lokoja, Mopa Muro and Yagba East Local government.

APC won in Kabba Bunu local government with 15,437 votes to defeat the PDP which had 8974. In Lokoja Local Government Area, the APC won with 14,168 votes and the PDP polled 9786. In Moa Muro, the APC also won with 4874 votes while the PDP got 3704.

While in Ijimu, APC polled a total of 11,627 votes while Melaye had 7,647 votes in the local government.

Malaye, however, polled 7,745 to defeat Adeyemi who polled 6,683 in Yagba East.

Melaye was declared the winner of the February election by the INEC but Malaye’s victory was challenged in court by Adeyemi.

Adeyemi challenged Melaye’s victory on three grounds of irregularities, over voting and non-compliance with the electoral acts.

On Friday, 11th October, Melaye lost the appeal of a tribunal ruling that nullified his election as the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate.