Melaye: Whether I voted or not is immaterial — people win elections from prison

Dino Melaye, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of “allocating” votes during Saturday’s governorship election.

Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Monday, Melaye claimed there was no election in the state.

On Sunday, Usman Ododo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the Kogi state governorship election.

Ododo polled 446, 237 votes to defeat Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), who came second with 259,052 votes. Melaye came a distant third with 46,362 votes.

Reacting to the outcome of the poll, Melaye said the Kogi election was “shameful”, noting that democracy has suffered a “setback” in the country.

The PDP governorship candidate said he cannot accept the outcome of an election that was “far from credible”, adding that this is not the first time he has lost an election.

“There was no election and I’m going to prove it. There was only allocation of votes by INEC,” he claimed.

“The election is shameful. I sympathise with this country. It is a big shame.”

‘IT’S IMMATERIAL’

During the election, Melaye was not sighted at his polling unit located at Ayetoro ward 1, Ijumu LGA, Kogi west senatorial district.

When asked whether he voted during the election, Melaye said casting his vote does not matter legally, adding that it is immaterial.

“The issue of voting or not voting does not have legal status,” he said.

“People win elections from prison but if we want to go into the discussion about this election, we must discuss the processes and conclusion instead of buying time to discuss issues that are not relevant to the election.

“Legally, it has no relevance to the election. Whether I voted or not, it is immaterial.”

The PDP candidate won his polling units with 210 votes against APC’s 22 votes.