Saturday, July 11, 2026

Nothing wrong being dramatic; comedians, actors become presidents, governors: Dino Melaye

The former lawmaker cited examples of a comedian and an actor who turned out to be president and governor in their respective countries.

• April 18, 2023
Dino Melaye
Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye, governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State, says his dramatic nature does not make him unfit for the office of a governor. 

Mr Melaye asserted so during an interview with Channels TV Tuesday night, dismissing criticisms that he is incompetent and unfit to hold an executive position 

“Today, I can decide to stay by the roadside, buy boli and laugh and dramatise. That has nothing to do with the effectiveness and productive level of Dino Melaye as a governor,” Mr Melaye posited. 

The former lawmaker cited examples of a comedian and an actor who turned out to be president and governor in their respective countries. 

“At one time, an actor was an effective governor in America, Arnold Schwarzenegger. We have seen a comedian become president in Ukraine, doing what generals cannot do. 

“So Peoples side attraction should not be the measure for the level of their competence, capabilities and productivity. It is myopic,” Mr Melaye argued. 

Mr Melaye emerged PDP governorship candidate in Kogi despite being criticised and dismissed for his exuberance.

His fellow party man, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, had dismissed him as a joke, saying the party cannot afford to hand him the ticket if the party wants to win. 

Famed for his theatrics as a lawmaker, Mr Melaye entertained Nigerians with his “Aje kun iya ni’oje” hit song during his brush up against Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

In 2017, Mr Melaye featured in a music video titled Dino by Afro trap star, Kach.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Canada Border Services Agency investigators

Heading 1

Canadian authorities charged two men for defrauding international students $126,000; hunt fleeing suspect 

CBSA officers executed search warrants at the suspects’ homes and businesses, where electronic devices containing the evidence of their fraudulent activities were recovered.

Spain beat Belgium

Hot news Home top

Spain beat Belgium 2-1, face France in World Cup semi-finals Tuesday

The European champions move on to the semi-finals against back-to-back finalists France on Tuesday at Dallas Stadium.

Police

NationWide

Focus on criminals, stop targeting journalists, CPJ tells Nigerian security agencies

She also pointed out harsh bail requirements imposed on journalists, describing Mr Ugagbe’s bail conditions as “utterly punitive.”

Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa

Education

Tinubu upgrades Nasarawa poly to university

Mr Onanuga said the approval followed a proposal by Senator Ahmed Aliyu, who represents the Nasarawa West Senatorial District.

Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA)

Lagos

Lagos govt signs agreement to automate vehicle registration

Mr Osiyemi said the initiative would simplify and speed up vehicle registration by eliminating cumbersome processes.

Collapsed building

States

Three rescued, one body recovered as building collapses in Kano

The PRO attributed the collapse to the use of poor and substandard building materials.