* Melaye



The Appeal Court Friday sacked Senator Dino  Melaye  representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Kogi State, and ordered fresh elections in the senatorial district.

Immediately after the judgment, Sen. Melaye made his reactions via his Twitter handle,  @dino_melaye: “I just lost my election at the Appeal Court and fresh election ordered. In all things, I give God the praise. He who started the good thing will definitely complete it. I ask my supporters to be law-abiding as we shall always overcome. To God be the Glory.”

Melaye,  candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner  the February, 2019  Kogi West Senatorial District election, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had challenged Melaye’s victory in court. Adeyemi challenged Melaye’s victory on three grounds of irregularities, over voting and non-compliance with the electoral acts.

In a unanimous judgment, delivered  August 23,  a three-man panel of the election tribunal, led by Justice A. O. Chijioke, upheld  Adeyemi’s prayers  and ordered a fresh election in the senatorial district.

Melaye however appealled to  the Court of Appeal to allow his appeal, and an order sustaining his objection to the petition or dismissing the petition and confirming his electoral victory. In the notice of appeal dated September 5, 2019, Melaye raised 23 grounds of appeal, in which he faulted the majority decision of the tribunal.

The Court of Appeal Friday, upheld  the tribunal's judgement and ordered a fresh election in the senatorial  district


FULL STATEMENT ISSUED BY MELAYE reads as follows:

Let your hearts not be troubled, believe in God believe also His prophets.

A court judgement is human judgment, I believe in divine I mean God’s judgment.

It is absolutely well. No worries, no tension, no pains. I celebrate God for he is always a good God.

At the end, His name will be glorified. He is not a man that He will lie. I’m a winner every time.

There is a final verdict and it is the verdict of God. Peace peace peace.

Today, I speak over my life and my household that the peace of God that surpasses understanding will garrison across our hearts.

I am not shaken nor moved. I trust in God completely.

I lean not on my own understanding; I acknowledge Him in all my ways, and I am directed of the Lord and led by the Spirit.

I see my way through; I walk a path devoid of pitfalls. I look to the Lord my God, and I will not see shame.

I am delivered from destruction and dereliction. I am saved to serve and strengthened for life.

God is merciful to me, and I have received the grace of the Lord my God. I have favour.

Nothing is against me. Men are favourably disposed to me in every situation. I am accepted and not rejected.

Nothing blocks my path to success; I am not a failure, and greatness is attracted to me. I activate the will of the Father and insist that today is the day of His power.

I am willing; God is at work, in me, to will and to do all His good pleasure. I win always. My prayers are answered, and my requests are granted. “My eye is single, and my body is full of light”.

Sorrows and tears are far from me. I have peace; my struggles cease; my frustrations, fears, and frailties give way; and I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

My tomorrow is greater and better than my yesterday. I shine like the star that I am.

I am blessed with every blessing heavenly, in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. I am blessed with the blessing of the sand and stars.

I increase on all sides. In Jesus’s name, I believe and say amen.

Senator Dino Melaye
Kogi West