Dino won't win that election - Wike laughs off Dino Melaye’s Kogi governorship bid

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has dismissed Senator Dino Melaye’s gubernatorial ambition in Kogi State.

Wike in a chat with selected journalists in Port Harcourt said that Dino lacks the necessary credentials to run for such a high office.

“When you give Dino that ticket, you know he won’t win in Kogi State,” Wike said during the parley. “Why would Kogi people say they would vote for a candidate like Dino? Are we joking?”

The governor asserted that being a native of a particular area does not automatically guarantee success in electoral politics.

Wike went on to say that if the PDP were to award Melaye its gubernatorial ticket, the party would be heading toward defeat.

The governor stated that he would refuse to campaign for the PDP if Melaye were selected as the party’s candidate for the Kogi governorship.

“Dino does not have what it takes [to be a governor] for crying out loud,” Wike maintained. “He knows me very well. He does not have what it takes to be a governor.”

“Does it mean now that if the PDP wants to win the election, it would give the ticket to Dino and you say tomorrow that you were rigged when you have already killed yourself?” he wondered.

“Are we saying that we want to win an election or just have a candidate?” the former minister asked.

“Do you need to ask me that kind of question? Are you not aware that I would not do that?” Wike said when asked if he would campaign for the main opposition party if Dino wins the ticket.

“Why are you trying to manipulate this in favour of one aspirant?” he queried.

Senator Dino Melaye served as the campaign spokesman for Atiku Abubakar and the PDP presidential campaign council in the recently concluded February 25 election.

Prior to the election, the PDP flag-bearer, Atiku, defeated Nyesom Wike for the party’s ticket and, according to reports, denied Wike the opportunity to be his running mate.