Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye is a Nigerian politician, a Senator and member of the 8th National Assembly, representing Kogi West Senatorial district.^[1] Dino is a member of the People’s Democratic Party. He is currently the Chairman Senate Committee in FCT.

Early life and education

Daniel Dino Melaye was born in the city of Kano. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he studied geography in 2000.^[2] He led the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and later became the Secretary General of African Youth Council and then that of the Commonwealth Youth Council. He was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo to chair the Presidential Advisory Council on Youths.

Political life

Melaye was a member In the House of Representatives, where he openly opposed President Jonathan Goodluck, calling his government the most corrupt one in Nigeria.^[3]

In the 2015 Senatorial election he was elected a member of the Senate of Nigeria from the Kogi West Senatorial District.^[4]

He seconded the nomination of Senator Bukola Saraki as candidate for the office of President of the Senate following a nomination made by Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima.^[5]

Political controversies and scandals

Melaye’s political career has not been spared of scandals and accusations.

As a senator, it was alleged that Melaye continued to operate a checking and savings account with a US bank, in violation of Nigeria law, a report he has not denied. Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau strongly and clearly prohibits the use of foreign accounts by elected and public officials.

One transaction on Melaye’s Bank of America debit card is an approved payment to the New York-based Schweiger Dermatology for $1,000. The company describes itself as a medical and cosmetic dermatology service offering a variety of skin healthcare needs.

Melaye has repeatedly dodged questions that he operates these bank accounts, despite evidence provided including transaction dates, bank statements, card numbers, and location of the transactions.

Melaye criticised Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole for “importing his wife” rather than marrying a Nigerian woman.

Melaye had threatened to beat up Senator Oluremi Tinubu and ‘impregnate’ her on the floor of the Senate.

In June 2017, a process to recall Senator Melaye from the National Assembly was kickstarted.

The Senator characteristically has accused the governor of “shooting the moon and boxing the air.”^[6]

Melaye further said, “Spending over N1bn of taxpayers’ money on an unproductive venture, when salaries and pensions have not been paid, is wicked. “I will continue to defend the poor and defenceless masses of Kogi State. If I die, I die. We must rescue the state, he was arrested 23 April 2018 on the international wing of Nnamdi azikiwe Airport by NIS as they claim his name was on the watch list of the interpol after the Nigeria 🇳🇬 police declared him wanted .”^[7]

In May 2, 2018, Senator Melaye was arraigned in court by the Police on Wednesday at Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Abuja. He was granted bail in the sum of N90million by the court, having met the bail condition but was rearrested by the police shortly after his release.^[8]

On July 24 2018, Melaye alongside 13 other Senators of the All Progressives Congress, APC, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. ^[9]

Certificate Scandal

Melaye was involved in various certificates^[10] scandals in 2017 including his claim to have obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from Ahmadu Bello University and a degree from the Boston-based Ivy League Harvard University in the United States.^[11] he claimed to have obtained the degree but not yet verified

Melaye who might face severe criminal charges that might undermine his political career if such scandals should prevail denies these claims.^[12] However, his colleague and former majority leader of his party (APC) Sen. Ali Ndume calls for the house to probe Melaye's claims. Melaye claims not only did he graduate legitimately from ABU Zaria, but also, he has successfully earned seven degrees from various other institutions around the world, among them are Harvard's University,Kennedy School for Educational Leadership and London School of Economics and Political Science;^[13] a claim that was since refuted by both institutions, with Harvard claiming Mr. Melaye only presented himself for a week long professional development course in late 2016. While LSE claimed there's no evidence on its database that Mr. Melaye ever Obtained any degree there.^[14]

Melaye was eventually cleared by the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Ibrahim Garba^[15] who appeared before the Senate Committee to confirm that Senator Dino Melaye graduated from the school, although under a different name.^[16]

Personal life

Melaye is currently unmarried. He was previously married to Tokunbo Melaye for ten years. She filed for divorce after a domestic violence dispute where she claimed that he beat her up and pointed a gun to her head. Shortly after, Dino Melaye moved another woman named Alero Falope into the home that he shared with Tokunbo. Falope moved out six months later.^[17] Tokunbo had three children with Dino, and Mr. Dino had another child with an unnamed woman in July 2016. ...

Authorship

In May, 2016, Dino Melaye launched a book titled "Antidotes For Corruption: The Nigerian Story" which received backlash, given the perceived reputation of author.^[18] The backlashes increased at the event as it was headed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and former First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, who were both entangled in different corruption cases.

The book was also berated for its poor syntax, as 'antidotes' was expected to take the preposition 'to' against the 'for' that was used in title. Some quarters also described the book to be a mere "cut and paste" of newspapers articles.^[19] suggesting that the book has little or no original intellectual inputs from the author.

Awards and recognitions

Melaye has won several awards, including Best Honourable Representative of the Year by Global Youth Awareness and Development Initiative, Protector of the Youth P.D.P National Youth Vanguard, Epitome of Servant by National Association of Kogi State Students, Youth Libra for Award by the Visioners Club of Kogi State, the Great Motivator of Students by Nigerian Economic Student Association, Icon of Good Leadership by Kogi Peoples Forum, 2008 Diplomatic Member of the year by St. Monica’s College Kabba and the most performed National Legislator by Vision 2020 Youth Group. Most vibrant Honourable member, Abuja merit Awards African Parliamentarian of the year 2005 in U.S.A. Melaye also won the 'Senator of the year' award in 2017 and 2018.

References