Inec officially declares Dino Melaye the winner in Kogi West Senatorial District

CONTROVERSIAL lawmaker Senator Dino Melaye has been officially declared the winner of the election in Kogi West Senatorial District by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec).

Colourful and dramatic, Senator Melaye has been one of the most controversial characters in Nigerian politics over the last four years, constantly having brushes with the police and government. In 2015, he was elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but last year moved to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and stood as their candidate.

On Saturday, Senator Melaye stood as the PDP candidate, while his opponent in 2015, Smart Adeyemi who was then the PDP candidate stood for the APC this time around having switched parties too. In Lokoja yesterday, Professor Emmanuel Bala the returning officer in Kogi West, declared Senator Melaye the winner, having secured 85,395 votes to defeat Mr Adeyemi of the APC who scored 66,901 votes.

Senator Melaye said: "I have just been declared winner of the Kogi West Senatorial District Election. God only you would have done this.

"To God alone be the glory forever and ever. Kogi West, I thank you all, I love you all. What a mighty God we serve."