2027: Tinubu’s remarks have ignited political violence in Nigeria – Melaye

Melaye made the allegations throughout an interview with DCL on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, whereas criticising the President’s alleged remarks that “all is fair in politics” and “take it, grab it, and run away with it”.

Questioning the implications of the President’s feedback, the previous lawmaker argued that they may very well be interpreted as endorsing electoral malpractice and undemocratic political practices.

“What you are saying is that rigging is fair politics. No, that is exactly what he said. When you say ‘all’, there is no exclusion. We are all English students: all, all, subordinate, adjectival clause, all,” Melaye mentioned.

“Which democrat talks like that? So he’s the one who ignited violence in our politics,” he mentioned.

He additional accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of encouraging political assaults in opposition to opposition figures throughout the nation.

Citing reported incidents involving APC chieftain Adams Oshiomhole in Ekiti, Labour Party’s Peter Obi in Benue and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in Kebbi, Melaye argued that the President’s rhetoric had contributed to political hostility.

“That’s why Atiku’s car was shot at in Kebbi. That’s why six vehicles were shot at in Kebbi. That’s why we have people with gun wounds, because the President has made pronouncements that ignite violence,” he alleged.

The ADC chieftain warned that Nigeria’s unity shouldn’t be taken with no consideration, drawing comparisons with nations that had skilled disintegration and extended conflicts.

He cited the previous Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Somalia and Sudan, in addition to the continued battle between Russia and Ukraine, as examples of nations that had skilled critical political and territorial crises.

“My pain is that with an estimated 250 million people, no country in the world can take our refugees. So Tinubu will have to be very, very careful,” he mentioned.

Melaye additionally urged Tinubu to embrace statesmanship, recalling recommendation from Professor Jerry Gana that the President ought to prioritise nationwide unity and democratic stability.

“I adhere to the advice of Professor Jerry Gana, that he should not just be a president; he should be a statesman,” he added.

When requested whether or not his remarks amounted to difficult Tinubu’s constitutional proper to contest the 2027 presidential election, Melaye clarified that he was not calling on the President to desert his re-election ambition.

However, he argued that anybody searching for the presidency should fulfill the constitutional necessities of bodily and psychological health.

“I’m not saying he should not contest. But if you go by the constitution of the Republic of Nigeria, you must be physically fit to be president. You must be mentally fit to be president,” he mentioned.

“Tinubu is deficient in both. He is a spent force, and there are physical manifestations to show that he is not physically fit to be president,” Melaye alleged.

When requested whether or not he had entry to the President’s medical information to substantiate his claims, he mentioned, “I challenged President Tinubu to launch himself for medical examination to show me mistaken.”