Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Dino Melaye, in the aftermath of the November 11, 2023, Kogi State governorship election, is reportedly furious and demanding refunds from certain party members.
According to a breakdown obtained by SaharaReporters, Melaye had disbursed N250,000 per polling unit for various purposes, including “voter’s mobilization,” which sources have indicated was utilized for vote-buying.
An insider revealed that a substantial sum of N87 million was budgeted for “voter’s mobilization,” with additional amounts allocated to Polling Officers and Assistant Polling Officers.
Melaye’s frustration allegedly stems from the belief that key individuals within the PDP, including a Local Government Chairman and his campaign Director-General, failed to deliver the election for him despite the substantial funds disbursed.
The report suggests that the PDP candidate is specifically upset over the mismanagement of funds designated for vote-buying purposes, with claims that certain individuals pocketed the money without fulfilling the intended objectives.
Additionally, Melaye purportedly allocated N3,510,000 per polling unit for local security but claims a PDP Local Government Chairman diverted the funds.
The fallout follows the electoral victory of Usman Ododo from the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 446,237 votes.
Melaye trailed significantly in third place, garnering 46,362 votes, while the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Murtala Ajaka, came in second with 259,052 votes.
In response to the election outcome, Melaye called for the cancellation of the gubernatorial election in five local governments within Kogi Central, alleging irregularities and manipulation of result sheets before voting.
He accused INEC of coordinating a fraudulent election.
