Dino Melaye: I’ll Support Any Credible Okun Governorship Candidate, from Veritable Party
Former Senator Dino Melaye says he will support any credible Okun candidate given a governorship ticket in 2027, regardless of political party, as he calls for unity and stronger political action in Okunland.
ABUJA — Former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and legal practitioner, Dino Melaye, has declared his readiness to support any credible Okun indigene who secures a governorship ticket in the 2027 Kogi State election, irrespective of the political party under which the candidate contests.
Melaye made the position known while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Okun Unity Dialogue, organised by the Okun Development Initiative (ODI) at the Conference Centre of the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja.
The former lawmaker said the quest for unity among the Okun people must move beyond meetings, declarations and symbolic gatherings, arguing that political leadership remains a critical factor in addressing some of the challenges confronting the people.
According to him, the emergence of an Okun person as Governor of Kogi State would provide a stronger platform for uniting the people and pursuing solutions to the security, developmental and political challenges affecting Okunland.
“If anyone from Okunland is given the ticket on a veritable platform, I will support the person irrespective of political party,” Melaye said.
He maintained that Okun people must develop the political consciousness and collective will required to pursue leadership positions capable of advancing their interests, stressing that unity should be demonstrated through concrete political action rather than mere rhetoric.
Melaye argued that producing an Okun Governor would provide an opportunity for the people to address issues of disunity and insecurity while creating a stronger basis for development across the area.
He also expressed concern over the security situation in Kogi State, particularly what he described as the impact of insecurity on communities in parts of Kogi West and Kogi East.
The former Senator questioned the apparent differences in the security experiences of various parts of the state and called for deeper examination of the relationship between governance, political power and security.
He said the people should not shy away from discussing governance and accountability when addressing insecurity and other challenges affecting their communities.
Melaye urged Okun political leaders, traditional rulers, professionals, youths, community leaders and other stakeholders to put aside personal and political differences and work towards a common agenda for the development of Okunland.
He stressed that genuine unity must translate into collective political action, saying the people must be prepared to support credible leadership capable of representing their aspirations and providing effective governance.
The former lawmaker further challenged Okun stakeholders to build a political structure that would allow them to negotiate effectively within the wider political framework of Kogi State rather than remaining divided along party and personal lines.
He said the ultimate objective should be to produce leadership that would serve the interests of the people while promoting peace, security and development across the state.
The 2026 Okun Unity Dialogue brought together prominent Okun leaders, traditional rulers, politicians, community leaders, professionals and other stakeholders to deliberate on issues of political unity, security, development and the future of the Okun people.
Melaye’s intervention at the gathering added a political dimension to the discussions, particularly as stakeholders continue to examine the prospects of greater Okun political cohesion ahead of the 2027 Kogi governorship election.