Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will continue to pose a serious political challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Melaye made the remarks in Abuja during a press conference organised by the National Forum of Legislators within the ADC, where he criticised the current administration over insecurity and economic management.

According to him, the ADC’s growing coalition would remain a source of concern for the President because of what he described as worsening national conditions.

“Tinubu doesn’t care, and the whole world is watching to see what they will do,” Melaye said, lamenting the state of insecurity across the country.

He also questioned the Federal Government’s borrowing pattern, drawing comparisons with the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Melaye claimed that Nigeria’s debt profile has risen sharply despite the removal of fuel subsidies, challenging authorities to account for how borrowed funds have been utilised.

“With subsidy, Buhari borrowed N87 trillion in eight years. Without subsidy, Tinubu so far in three years borrowed N167 trillion. I want anybody to show me what we have done with that money,” he said.

The former lawmaker further alleged irregularities in the award of a major infrastructure project, claiming it was granted without competitive bidding. He also criticised what he described as inappropriate conduct relating to national honours and judicial matters.

Melaye accused the President of making statements capable of influencing the judiciary, particularly regarding ongoing disputes involving the ADC. He argued that no court had declared the party’s convention illegal, insisting that any such pronouncement should be left to the courts.

The Kogi ex-lawmaker dismissed suggestions that the opposition was merely attempting to intimidate the President, insisting instead that the ADC would intensify its political challenge.

“Saying that we want to scare him shows that he’s already scared—and really, we are going to scare him; we will continue to scare him,” he added. (Nigerian Tribune)

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