We Won’t Intimidate You Like APC, PDP Senator Welcomes Melaye To Party

Senator Dino Melaye’s defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been received with open arms by the Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce.

THE WHISTLER reported last week that Senator Murray-Bruce had described the upper legislative chamber as “boring” ever since Senator Melaye could not attend plenary due to issues he was having with police.

The Senator, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, had only recently regained his freedom from detention after a Federal High Court in Kogi State ordered his remand in prison over allegations that he was sponsoring political thugs in the state with money and arms.

Senator Murray-Bruce had tweeted last week, saying “I want Dino Melaye to come to the Senate on Wednesday even if he is on crutches. The Senate is not the same without Dino! We miss him. I know he is on crutches but I want him to come on Wednesday and I will stand with him.”

But in what came as a shock to many, Senator Melaye indeed heeded his colleague’s plea to appear at the Senate today, where he announced his defection to the opposition party, PDP.

Reacting to the development, Murray-Bruce tweeted: “Great to have Dino Melaye at the Senate today and hearty welcome to our great party, PDP. We will treat you good – no trauma or intimidation whatsoever.”

Great to have @dino_melaye at the @NGRSenate today and hearty welcome to our great party, @OfficialPDPNig. We will treat you good – no trauma or intimidation whatsoever.

— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 30, 2018

Melaye’s defection from the ruling party to the PDP may not be unconnected to speculations that certain persons in the APC are responsible for his many troubles.