LG boss accuses Melaye of stage-managing attack on his life

The alleged murder attempt on the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, took a new turn, on Monday, when the administrator of Ijumu Local Government Area of the state, Toufiq Isah, accused the senator of stage-managing the attack in order to create unnecessary tension in the local government.

This was as the council chairman also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Presidency to investigate how Melaye allegedly diverted items meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) last December.

Addressing newsmen, Isah, who is also the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, said it was unfortunate that Melaye twisted the story, accusing him of trying to kill Melaye.

He said he only heard that the senator entered Ayetoro with policemen, shooting sporadically to scare people, wondering why he turned round to claim he was attacked.

He said as chief security officer of the council, his responsibility was to always protect lives and property of the people in the area.

The ALGON chairman, while alleging that Melaye had never empowered anybody in Okunland, called on the EFCC to probe the IDPs materials he allegedly took to his house.

Melaye, however, described Isah as a drowning man looking for what to hold on to, saying the claim by the council boss was an attempt to cover his act.

He said every discerning and sound mind would know it was impossible for anybody to stage-manage such an attack on himself.

According to him, the administrator was only attempting to cover his deeds and the evil he had perpetrated.

The senator claimed that some “boys” loyal to Isah had been arrested in connection with the assassination attempt.