Melaye reacts to failed recall

Adoga Michael Oyi


Sen . Dino Melaye has thanked the people of his constituency for “ rising to his defence ” by shunning the verification exercise held on April 28 to recall him from the Senate.
Melaye , in a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday, also thanked the political leaders , elders and traditional rulers in Kogi West for “ rescuing him from his political enemies .”
He also expressed gratitude to the media , observers , civil society groups , security agents and other stakeholders “ for resisting to be used against the wishes of the people of his constituency” .
The statement was signed by Mr Gideon Ayodele, Special Assistant on Media to Melaye .
“ We thank all democratic partners who have resisted the attempted external political robbery and brazen impunity from raising its most ugly head.
“ We commend the resolve of our people who have by their popular wish and wisdom and political independence rejected the selfish and satanic recall .
Read More : Shunning of Melaye recall exercise a verdict on APC – PDP
“ The verification exercise has come and gone and the people of Kogi west have willingly exercised their franchise by re - validating the election of Sen Dino Melaye , ” the lawmaker said .
According to him , the exercise no doubt , has shown that power truly belongs to the people .
“ We wish to equally , commend INEC for resisting forgery in some parts while the exercise was going on , and for finally allowing the wish of the people to prevail as expressed , ” it said .
He urged the proponents of his recall to accept the results in good faith and face the task of providing the elusive democratic dividends to the people .
The senator, however , advised his supporters to remain calm and humble in the face of victory and avoid hot arguments or action that may lead to the breakdown of law and order .
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that the result of the verification released early Sunday in Lokoja by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) showed that 39 , 285 of the signatories were verified , out of which only 18 , 762 signatures were genuine .
The genuine signatories represent a dismal 5 .34 per cent of the total signatories to the petition , which fell short of 51 per cent or 98 , 364 signatures required for the petition to sail through .