Oyegun, Audu, Melaye meet over ministerial screening

National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the party’s candidate in the Kogi State governorship election, Abubakar Audu, and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Dino Melaye, on Monday met behind closed doors.

The agenda of the meeting which was held at the party’s headquarters, in Abuja, was not made public.

However, it was learnt that the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election and the screening of ministerial nominees scheduled to commence this week were discussed at the meeting.

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It was also gathered that Audu who came moments after Dino, was in addition to seeking for the party’s support for his campaign efforts, also put in a word for the lawmaker who was his campaign manager, in 2011.

Melaye, a vocal supporter of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had in his interaction with the media last week, assured Nigerians that the screening of ministerial nominees sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be “rigorous” adding that the era of “take a bow and go” was gone.

Some of the party leaders had interpreted this to mean that the Senate is preparing to either humiliate some of the nominees or make things difficult for them during the exercise.

In the light of the development, it was further learnt that Dino’s presence at the meeting was to further assure the party leadership that nothing of that sort was in the offing.

Another party source who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the forthcoming Tribunal judgment over the Kogi West Senatorial District election was also discussed.

Melaye, who arrived at the party secretariat at about 3.10pm, was later joined by Abubakar Audu at Odigie-Oyegun’s office about an hour later. The meeting lasted for close to two hours.

It was gathered that the meeting was convened at the behest of the former Kogi State governor, who felt the need to reconcile his ally with the party leadership, against the backdrop of mutual suspicion among the party leadership.

The party source said, “The former governor was here to put in a word for Melaye, you know the tribunal matter is still there and judgment is only a few days away.

“Also note that some of our leaders are not taking the “threat” to make things difficult for our nominees lightly. For now, the party leadership cannot meet with the Senate President for obvious reasons.”

In response to reporters’ inquiries about the meeting, Melaye said it had nothing to do with his case at the tribunal.

He said, “What has the party got to go with the tribunal case? This is my party’s national secretariat and I can come here anytime. As for the election petition, God go win.”

He declined to respond to further questions before entering his waiting vehicle. Odigie-Oyegun also did not entertain questions from reporters as his security details shielded reporters away from him.