The Senator representing Kogi West is one of the most popular politicians in the country.
The lawmaker who started out as a students’ union activist is hardly far from the news.
He’s had his fair share of controversies, ranging from his separation from his wife, Tokunbo. The talk that he fathered a child with famous actress, Bisi Ibidapo-Obe and there was the controversy around his first degree.
Many still remember the senator attending plenary in the Red Chamber, wearing a convocation gown after he was cleared that his certificate from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria is authentic.
Last week, the lawmaker who survived a recall, many beleive was sponsored by the Kogi State government, had to suspend the commissioning of his constituency projects after he was attacked. The Kogi State police command has invited Senator Melaye for questioning, after it admitted that it’s men replied gunshots which allegedly came from the senator’s convoy. Before the attack, some classrooms renovated by the lawmaker were destroyed in a fire.
This is the second time Melaye would have to face the Kogi police command. The first time the senator collided with the police, he ended up in the National Hospital Abuja, with a viral video of his exchange with the police after he was said have jumped off a moving vehicle, still in circulation.
Admirers of Dino, as he fondly called say he has weathered many a storm and will survive the current political battle with Kogi State governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello.
But Dino’s flamboyance, his anti-corruption stance and his constant call for accountability from the country’s leaders is one controversial mixture, people can’t stop talking about.
In fact, lots of observers find it difficult to marry Dino’s flamboyant ways which led to a rapper Kachi recording a song on his wealth, with his calls for a better life for the poor.
Melaye is the proud owner of a garage of exotic and luxury cars estimated at costing billions of Naira. He also owns a palatial mansion valued at N1.3 billion ($US6.5 million)
The first term Nigerian Senator has 28 of these expensive cars in his garage with a mobile house he has shown off as often as he wishes.
Once Melaye posed inside a 2015 Slingshot which was estimated to cost about N4.78 Million ($24,000).
But it seems the lawmaker is getting tired of the criticisms around his lifestyle. At least, he sounded like he’s no longer bothered about what critics say about his flashy cars and designer wears or his single status in an interview with Leadership Newspaper.
Dino insisted in the interview with the Abuja based newspaper, that he would rather spend his wealth which isn’t ill-gotten on cars and high end labels, unlike those who spend thier money on homosexuality and the occult.
“Anyway, I would say that my dress sense and collections of cars is a passion. I wear things that look nice on me and I try to look smart. Different people have different passion. For some, homosexualism is their passion and they can spend any amount of money on it. For some, diamond is their passion and they can spend any amount of money on it. If you argue with me, you can ask Diezani. For some, blood is their passion, occultism, and they can spend any amount of money to get blood. For some, it’s bikes and for some, it’s cocaine. So, if my passion is automobiles, I should not be castigated for it. I have no regrets. For me it’s a passion and looking good for me it’s a hobby”, he said.
Dino also said in the interview, which he declared himself, ‘successfuly single’, that he no longer worries about what people think or say about his private life.
“I don’t feel perturbed at all and it doesn’t get to me at all because I know that whatever I’m driving and whatever I’m wearing are not products of corruption. The little God has provided for me is not ill-gotten and I should be able to spend my money the way I feel without forgetting that I need to take care of the needy and poor and that I’m doing graciously”, he said.
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