Kogi senator, Dino Melaye, Friday responded to the barrage of criticism and abuse he received after he followed Toyin, wife of Senate President Bukola Saraki, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) office.
According to him, the Sarakis are his friends and he does not regret standing by them in times of trouble. He argues that his action was inspired by his anti-corruption crusade, saying he needed to know if the woman was really culpable of the charges contained in the petition against her.
Mrs Saraki was at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday to answer questions over corruption allegations brought against her.
Leading the pack of supporters who accompanied her to the interrogation was Melaye who was subsequently named into the Senate ad hoc Committee on Publicity.
The visit to the EFCC office have led many to question Melaye’s professed anti-corruption stand. Some even went further to dig up accusations of domestic violence and abandonment of his family for another woman.
Not one to let anything pass without saying a word no matter how incriminating it turns out to be, the former House of Representatives member – known more for brawls than debate at the National Assembly – posted the message below on Facebook.
Please note that the message has not been edited. It is Melaye in his element
I choose to react this morning to the attacks i have received from my brothers, sisters and fellow citizens because i was seen in EFCC with my sister Mrs Toyin Saraki. I will start by saying my struggle to fight corruption in Nigeria was not an assignment or paid job. It was born out of passion and desire to build a new Nigeria where Justice,equity and egaliterianism becomes a new order. I got arrested by the Jonathan administration 14 times in one year because i desire a country where my grand children that i may never know will dwell in a nation where life is already structured for them. I can not throw away my sacrifice of been beaten and my clothes thorn on the floor of the House of Representatives because of standing against corruption. I have come too far to compromise my stand on corruption and corrupt persons. I make bold here to challenge any body who will controvert the truth that i have never done any government contract,either at the local government,state or federal level. It is not criminal to do so but he who must come to equity must come with clean hands. I have made sacrifices to the extent of escaping assasinations. Will my fellow citizens forget that too quickly on the alter of loyalty to friends,family and loved ones. My loyalty to friends is not only when the going is good,i will be there even when the roads are rough. Invitation by EFCC however is not a criminal indictment. I will not abandon my friends because of mere EFCC invitation. I also went there as a private investigator and anti corruption crusader to find out the extent of the culpability of my sister and friend since she was not told the content of the petition agaisnt her before her apperance in EFCC. My defination for friendship is he or she who walks in when others walk out. If my father is invited by EFCC i will go there. If a prima facie case is established against him,i will shout for his prosecution.
So my great people i have no regret following my friend and sister to EFCC. If you are my friend, you are my friend. I can not control what my friends will do,but they remain my friends. I am not fighting corruption out of passion but it is the Godly thing to do. Finally, Winston Churchill said and i quote”i may not believe in what you have to say but i will defend to death your right to say it” No change of values. In the next few months ahead, Nigerians will know those who love Buhari to succeed. I promise to be with the people at all time within constitutional mileau. I thank you for taking your time. God bless you and bless Nigeria. Be a change agent.
