Dino Melaye Cautions President Tinubu Over 2027 Ambition, Cites Abacha’s Fate
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against taking his potential 2027 reelection bid for granted, warning that political endorsements alone cannot guarantee a leader’s political future.
Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), shared the warning in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, drawing parallels between current political developments and the era of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
Citing the ‘God Factor’ in Politics
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, Melaye recalled how Abacha enjoyed unanimous backing from all five registered political parties in 1998 to transition from a military ruler to a civilian president, only for his plans to be abruptly cut short by his sudden death.
The former lawmaker emphasized that ultimate authority in political calculations rests with divine intervention, urging the President not to overlook the unpredictable nature of power as political realignments build momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his post, Melaye wrote:
“There is a God factor in the affairs of men. Tinubu does not understand this. Abacha was endorsed by all the five political parties at that time. There was no contest, he was already cruising to become a civilian president. God picked His phone and called Abacha.”
“When God calls you, there is no network failure. That God has not gone on omugwo, Tinubu watch it,” he added.
Silence from the Presidency
Omugwo is a traditional Igbo cultural practice from southeastern Nigeria referring to postpartum nursing care provided to a mother and her newborn by an elder relative. Melaye used the term metaphorically to suggest that God remains active and attentive to human affairs.
Neither President Tinubu nor the Presidency had issued a formal response to Melaye’s comments at the time of publication.
