Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day broadcast, describing the address as disconnected from the realities confronting millions of Nigerians.
Melaye also called on the President to resign over what he described as worsening insecurity, rising cases of abductions and the growing economic hardship affecting citizens across the country.
The former lawmaker made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during the third posthumous legacy colloquium held in honour of the late founder of DAAR Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi.
The event was organized by D-37, a group made up of political associates and allies of the late media entrepreneur and politician.
Speaking at the gathering, Melaye criticized President Tinubu’s June 12 nationwide broadcast, arguing that the speech failed to reflect the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the President painted a picture of the country that was at variance with the experiences of citizens battling insecurity, hunger and economic difficulties.
“I have a problem with every part of Tinubu’s June 12 broadcast speech because truth has no volume. If you increase it, it’s no longer the truth. If you decrease it, it’s no longer the truth,” Melaye said.
“Everything in that speech did not represent the truth.
“The statistics faulted, intentions not genuine, and the president is speaking what he did not believe in. Every part of that speech is at variant with the practical experience of what Nigerians are going through. It carries no hope.”
The former senator’s comments came barely a day after the President addressed Nigerians as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
In his speech, President Tinubu highlighted the efforts of his administration in addressing economic challenges, strengthening democratic institutions and improving the welfare of Nigerians. He also expressed optimism about the country’s future and appealed for patience and support from citizens.
However, Melaye said many Nigerians could not relate to the optimism expressed in the address because of the realities they face daily.
He particularly pointed to the growing insecurity across the country, citing recent incidents in Oyo and Kogi states as evidence that the security situation had deteriorated.
Referring to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, Melaye argued that the incident reflected a broader national crisis that required urgent intervention.
“On the issue of the abduction of Oyo School, it should not only be restricted to Ogbomosho,” he said.
“In my own state of Kogi, two days ago, students writing the English Language paper for their WAEC examinations were kidnapped. These people came in, killed the vice-principal, a six-year-old child and a 70-year-old man, and went away with the students.”
According to him, similar incidents are taking place across different parts of Nigeria.
“This story is the same across almost all the states of the entire country,” he stated.
Melaye said a government that is sensitive to the plight of its citizens should treat the security situation as a national emergency.
“I think for a government that is sensitive to its people, the president ought to have declared a state of emergency in the security of his country,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria’s security agencies have the capacity to tackle the challenges if properly coordinated and effectively led.
“The Nigerian security architecture is not that terrible. This is gross incompetence,” he added.
The former senator reminded Nigerians that the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, bears the ultimate responsibility for the protection of lives and property.
“The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. On May 29 at Eagle Square, he had the Quran on his left hand and the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria on the right,” Melaye said.
He cited constitutional provisions to support his position, noting that the welfare and security of Nigerians remain the primary responsibility of government.
According to him, any administration that fails in these critical areas has failed in its mandate.
“Section 42(b) of the Constitution has clearly highlighted that the security and the welfare of the people shall be the primary prerogative of the government,” he said.
“So, any leader of this country who has failed in security, failed in welfare, is a failed president.”
Melaye further questioned President Tinubu’s capacity to lead the country through its current challenges.
“The president is wearing an oversized shoe. You cannot give what you don’t have. Nigeria is not Lagos. He is overwhelmed. He does not have the intellectual, emotional or physical capacity and capability to lead this country,” he said.
“He cannot be commander-in-chief because this country has never seen it this low.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain also expressed concern over attacks on senior security personnel, saying such incidents should worry every Nigerian.
“In the last three years alone, three serving generals have been abducted and killed,” he stated.
“Abroad, only one pilot went missing, and America deployed everything to locate him.
“So, when generals are being killed, what is our own security?”
While rejecting calls for the payment of ransom to kidnappers, Melaye insisted that the government must demonstrate its ability to secure the country.
“So, I’m not part of those saying the government should pay ransom. I am only saying the government should show capacity. And when you cannot do it, you should resign honourably and leave,” he said.
Beyond insecurity, Melaye blamed the Tinubu administration for the worsening economic hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
He said the rising cost of living had affected virtually every segment of society, with many families struggling to cope with increasing food prices, transportation costs and declining purchasing power.
Since the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, many Nigerians have complained about the sharp increase in the prices of goods and services.
Although the Federal Government has maintained that the reforms are necessary to stabilise the economy and attract investment, critics argue that ordinary citizens are bearing the burden without adequate relief measures.
Melaye’s comments add to the growing chorus of opposition voices questioning the direction of the country and demanding greater accountability from those in power.