Melaye Warns Of Nationwide Protest If Federal Government Targets Atiku

Dino Melaye, a former senator from Kogi West, has cautioned the Federal Government not to invite, detain, or question Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in response to a petition requesting a fresh look into alleged financial crimes.

Melaye insisted that Nigerians were far more numerous than those in power and that the ADC and its supporters would mobilize against any attempt to use the petition to target Atiku.

“This is our note of warning, if due to this frivolous petitions you invite, arrest, or interview Atiku Abubakar, and we are not saying it with fear or favour, we will prove to you that those in government are less than one percent of the population of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will prove to you that the people own government,” Melaye said in a video shared on his X account on Friday.

His warning came after former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen accusations against Atiku from his time as vise president.

An earlier EFCC investigation and report on allegations involving Atiku between 2005 and 2006 was cited in the petition, which was filed through attorney Hannibal Uwaifo, SAN. Reports state that the commission received the request on September 1.

Money laundering, abuse of office, corruption, and the purported misappropriation of funds associated with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund are among the accusations mentioned in the petition.

The former vise president has also stated that the accusations were previously investigated by state agencies, such as the National Assembly, the EFCC, an administrative panel, and the courts, and he emphasized that he was never found guilty of them.

The petition requests that the EFCC take new action almost twenty years after the previous inquiry. Additionally, the petitioners threatened to take legal action if the commission did not act within the allotted 14 days.

Melaye’s caution, which comes as Atiku gets ready to run for president on the ADC platform in 2027, gives the rekindled controversy a political twist.

The petition’s accusations are still just that—allegations—and do not prove Atiku’s criminal liability.

I firmly believe that no one should be targeted or vilified unjustly. Bringing up the past solely to undermine or bring someone down is neither fair nor constructive. Elections should be a platform for healthy competition and progress, not a do-or-die battle that tears communities apart. Respecting one another and focusing on positive development is the true spirit of democracy.