Battle for Melaye’s replacement intensifies in Kogi state

macfranc007 November 05, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Kess Ewubare

- A group, the Youth for Change (YFC) is demanding that Kogi west senatorial seat goes to Yagba federal constituency

- APC chieftain Ayodele Olukore, recommends the member representing the Kabba/Bunu/Ihumu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Yusuf, for the Senate slot

- Senator Dino Melaye narrowly escapes after he was allegedly attacked by irate youths in Kogi state

Groups in Kogi state have already begun to jostle for the replacement of embattled senator representing Kogi west at National Assembly, Dino Melaye.

The battle for Melaye’s seat follows his recall process that is being instituted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Though the senator has obtained a court order to halt the process for now, INEC has maintained that it would still continue with the process as soon as the legal logjam is cleared.

While Melaye struggles to keep his seat, some interest groups in Kogi state are already trying to get a candidate to replace the senator if the recall process succeeds.

One of such groups is the Youth for Change (YFC), which is demanding that the seat goes to the Yagba federal constituency, The Nation reports.

Leader of the group, Mallam Umaru Haruna Bashir on Sunday, November 5, said it was time for Yagba federal constituency to produce the next senator after Ijumu/Kabba, where Senator Melaye hails from.

He said: “Irukera is one of the finest brains from the state, and if decides to run, many will support him because of his antecedent and unblemished record. He’s close to the powers that be at the centre and he will influence development to us here.”

He appealed to APC supporters in Kogi west to reject aspirants from constituencies that have produced senator in the past.

However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kabba, Chief Ayodele Olukore, has recommended the member representing the Kabba/Bunu/Ihumu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Yusuf for the Senate slot.

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He said: “Yusuf is performing in Kogi West and we are in support of him to go to the Senate. His two terms at the House of Representatives has been very fruitful to our people, and has brought development to Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com gathered that Senator Dino Melaye narrowly escaped without injuries after he was allegedly attacked by irate youths in Kogi state.

According to reports, Senator Dino who represents Kogi west senatorial district at the national assembly was pelted with stones by youths who couldn't stand his presence.

The controversial senator had gone to the Kabba day 2017 celebrations where he posed for photos with his supporters and made a speech before he was attacked.

Punch reports that the senator who also donated the sum of N3million at the venue, was attacked as he tried to leave in his Mercedes Benz G-Wagon.

Kogi West senatorial district to recall senator Dino Melaye from the Nigerian Senate on NAIJ.com TV: