I did not flee Nigeria, senator Dino Melaye says from abroad

The Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has denied fleeing Nigeria over his recent travails.

Mr Melaye said he had no reason to flee the country, accusing Sahara Reporters which published the report, of spearheading a blackmail against him.

Relying on sources, SaharaReporters on Saturday reported that the lawmaker had fled Nigeria, and is prepared not to return until there is a change of government at the federal level and his state, Kogi.

According to the SaharaReporters story, Mr Melaye also warned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other senators to fight for him, failure of which he would bring down at least 30 senators.

The report stated that the lawmakers held a meeting Saturday afternoon to discuss the threat, while slating another for later in the day.

Mr Melaye, in a statement sent to Premium Times late on Saturday, however, said the report was not true.

‎He, however, did not give details of his engagement outside the country, having confirmed in a letter on Friday that he was abroad. He also did not state when he plans to return to Nigeria.

“For the records, I did not flee Nigeria and have no reason to flee my country leaving behind my family as the online paper wants Nigerians to believe. My attention was drawn to their lies this night, hence this public statement, lest the unsuspecting members of the public and my supporters believe the lies by Omoyele Sowore as directed by his new paymasters,” he said.

He said the report was meant to cause disharmony within the senate.