Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Dino Melaye, is reportedly demanding refunds from certain party members following his defeat in the November 11, 2023, Kogi State governorship election. Melaye had allegedly disbursed N250,000 per polling unit for various purposes, including “voter’s mobilization,” which sources suggest was utilized for vote-buying.
According to a breakdown obtained by SaharaReporters, a substantial sum of N87 million was budgeted for “voter’s mobilization,” with additional amounts allocated to Polling Officers and Assistant Polling Officers. However, Melaye is reportedly frustrated, believing that key individuals within the PDP, including a Local Government Chairman and his campaign Director-General, failed to deliver the election for him despite the significant funds disbursed.
Melaye is specifically upset over the alleged mismanagement of funds designated for vote-buying, with claims that certain individuals pocketed the money without fulfilling the intended objectives. Additionally, funds allocated for local security, amounting to N3,510,000 per polling unit, are said to have been diverted by a PDP Local Government Chairman.
The fallout comes in the aftermath of the electoral victory of Usman Ododo from the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 446,237 votes. Melaye, who trailed significantly in third place with 46,362 votes, has called for the cancellation of the gubernatorial election in five local governments within Kogi Central, alleging irregularities and manipulation of result sheets before voting. He accuses INEC of coordinating a fraudulent election.
