Melaye, a former lawmaker who represented Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly polled a total of 313 votes in the indirect primary election to beat 8 other aspirants to clinch the ticket.
In a statement made available to newsmen in the early hours of Monday, Melaye said, “I thank the leaders of our party at the National, State, Local and ward levels, my dear brothers who advanced the cause of democracy in this contest and our numerous supporters who ensured that peace reigned, decorum prevailed, and conflicts were contained all through the process.
“As I savour this moment in humility, I return again to the scriptures. I recall the task and support that God gave to Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bandage to freedom. By the grace of God, our state will be liberated from the yoke of Yahaya Bello and APC. I also found a correlation between the new responsibility that God is placing on me and the responsibility that he gave to Gideon, who though felt unworthy, was qualified by God to deliver his people from the Gibeonites who had plundered their land and eaten their harvest.
“This shall be our experience in Kogi state. Furthermore, I think of Jephthah, who was despised and was called unserious. God has just proved that he takes my matter very seriously.
“The outcome of today’s (Sunday’s) election is not traceable to the strength of anyone in our state. It is a collective victory; the manifestation of a new spirit and purposeful coalition of all peoples across our beloved state. I acknowledge especially the enormous energy and commitment deployed to this endeavour by my sister, Natasha Akpoti- Uduaghan, and her beloved husband. Your day of celebration is very near, by the grace of God.
“I recognise that contests of this nature are hardly devoid of offences. I ask for forgiveness for all personal and corporate infractions in all my political navigations.”
