‘Start Packing Your Bags’ — Dino Melaye Tells Tinubu Ahead of 2027

Former Kogi West Senator and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dino Melaye, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of his family to prepare to leave the Presidential Villa ahead of the 2027 general election.

Melaye said the ADC would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls, insisting that the current political situation in the country was favourable to the opposition.

The former lawmaker made the statement during an interview with Arise TV on Monday, where he spoke about the opposition party’s preparations for the 2027 election and the performance of the Tinubu administration.

Melaye argued that the ADC would not need a complicated strategy to defeat the APC because, according to him, many Nigerians were already dissatisfied with the Federal Government.

He listed hunger, insecurity, rising hardship and what he described as poor governance among the major issues that could influence voters when Nigerians go to the polls.

“The winning strategy for the ADC is very simple. The people are with us. The people are tired of maladministration.

“They are tired of lies. They are tired of borrowing. They are tired of three budgets in three successions not being implemented,” Melaye said.

He also questioned the implementation of government budgets, alleging that funds borrowed for some projects had not translated into the completion of projects or payment of contractors.

Melaye claimed that some contracts awarded in 2024 were still awaiting payment in 2026.

“For example, you say you borrowed money to run the budget. You have borrowed the money. You have collected the money. But the budget has not been run.

“The budget has not been funded. Contracts awarded in 2024 have not been paid for. You are still implementing the 2024 budget in 2026,” he said.

The ADC chieftain further accused the administration of losing touch with Nigerians.

He said the level of hardship, insecurity and killings across the country had created a gap between the government and citizens.

“So I am telling you that this enchantment, the hunger in the land, the insecurity in the land, the killings in the land, the stealing, overstealing that is going on in the land already have shown and demonstrated that there is a complete disconnect between the people and government,” he said.

Melaye also took aim at the attitude of the government towards public criticism.

According to him, Nigerians should not be in a situation where citizens are afraid of those in power.

“But under Tinubu administration, people are afraid of government because they are so brazen, they are so wicked, they are so nonchalant, they don’t give a damn,” he said.

He went further to accuse President Tinubu of making comments that could be interpreted as supporting electoral malpractice and political violence.

Melaye said such comments were unacceptable from a sitting president, particularly because of the influence political leaders have on younger Nigerians.

“You have a president that have come out on air to tell the whole world that all is fair in politics. Rigging is fair in politics. Violence is fair in politics. Ballot snatching is fair in politics,” he said.

The former senator maintained that the 2027 election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to decide whether the Tinubu administration should remain in office.

He expressed confidence that the outcome would favour the opposition and lead to a change of government.

Melaye then issued a direct message to the President and members of his family.

“And I’m telling you that the results will tell in January. The president and his family members should begin to pack their luggage and things from the villa, including those in the boys’ quarters of the villa, because there will be a change of government,” he said.

Recall, the former senator left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2025 and subsequently joined the ADC.

Since joining the party, he has remained vocal on issues concerning the opposition, the electoral process and the 2027 presidential contest.

In April this year, Melaye joined other ADC leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, during a protest at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The party later submitted a petition to the electoral commission over issues surrounding its leadership and recognition.