The embattled Senator representing Kogi West
senatorial district in the Senate, Dino Melaye, has said he is a victim of
political persecution for being the voice of the voiceless.
Melaye, who is presently in police custody, made
this known on Wednesday through the Director General of his campaign organisation,
Chief Shola Ojo, during his political campaign.
The campaign rally for Atiku/Melaye kick started in
Odo-Ere and Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area and the commercial nerve
of the state respectively.
Ojo relayed the appreciation of the senator who is
in police custody, saying the PDP senatorial candidate was in high spirit as a
result of the moral support that has served as encouragement from his
constituents.
He said Melaye is a victim of political persecution
for being the voice of the voiceless, and called on the people to get behind
him in his trying times by adding their voices to the already loud demand for
his release.
The campaign DG said Melaye who twice has been
voted best senator in Nigeria deserves a second term to continue his advocacy
and excellent performance in this current term.
However, jubilant residents reacted wildly to the
road show singing, dancing and chanting ‘free Dino Melaye’, ‘Dino, our choice’,
‘Atiku, We Want’ and PDP slogans. Some
later abandoned their domestic engagements and joined in the road show.
Various speakers at the rally expressed satisfaction
with the large turnout at the rally with a urge to ensure that they equally
come out in their large numbers on February 16 and March 2 with their Permanent
Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote for all the candidates of the party from the
presidential to the state constituencies level.
Deputy Director General of the campaign
organisation for Yagba federal constituency, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Salaudeen,
dismissed as empty threats the alleged stockpiling of arms by opponents of the
party to intimidate and unleash violence against the electorate on election
day, saying such were nothing but presumptuous gimmickry, and should not be
given serious thoughts.
He told the gathering to be ready to cast their
votes for the candidates of the party while also defending their votes without
fear of intimidation, warning that anyone found with a gun should expect a mob
action.
Kogi West PDP senatorial Chairman, Taiwo Kola-Ojo,
cautioned the electorate to thumbprint on only PDP logo on the ballot paper and
not be selective to avoid mistakes. He said support for the PDP must be total
from top to bottom.
He described the government of the APC as evil,
saying February 16 presents the people with the opportunity to liberate
themselves. A vote for President Muhammadu Buhari, he noted, is a vote for the
state Governor, Yahaya Bello, and a continuation of the regime best known for
its disdains for the welfare of workers.
Also, Dr. Jide Ikubolaje, who until his defection
to the PDP was the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the local
government area, likened Melaye's incarceration at this time to Joseph in the
Holy Bible whose fortunes changed for good in 24 hours.
He said Melaye has been made popular by his arrest
and detention, stressing that victory is assured for the embattled senator
whether he is released or not released to participate in his campaign.
Highlight of the rally was the official introduction
of the House of Representatives candidate of Yagba federal constituency, Bola
Fabola, and state House of Assembly candidate for Yagba West constituency, Hon
Rinde Asagun, to the people.
No comments:
Post a Comment