Hon Tajudeen “TeeJay” Yusuf is fast becoming the political nemesis of former senator for Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, having retired him from both red and green chambers.
Hon Yusuf who is a serving member of the federal House of Representatives represents Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.
He ran for the seat and defeated the then incumbent, Dino Melaye seat in Nigeria’s 7th National Assembly and won. In 2015, and 2019, he was re-elected to the same position.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that Hon Teejay was partly responsible for the decision of Melaye to dump the PDP for the APC in 2014 to run for the 2015 senatorial position in Kogi West where the trending of the new party’s wave swept him to power at the time.
He returned to the PDP having fallen out with Governor Yahaya Bello and the powers that be in the APC.
This, on Tuesday, Hon Teejay again, defeated Dino Melaye, in the re-run election to pick Kogi West Senatorial ticket on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The election actually held on Monday and ended in deadlock as both aspirants each scored 88 votes.
The result then set up another possible photo finish for whoever would have emerged candidate in Tuesday’s run – off.
Hon Yusuf however turned the tide in the run – off and scored 163 votes against Dino’s 99 to dash Melaye’s dream of returning to the Senate in the 10th National Assembly.
The Returning Officer, Engr. Stephen Onoji announced the result.
Reacting to the victory, Hon Teejay enjoined his co – contestants to work with him to win the general election.
He commended the peaceful conduct of the Primaries, and promised to continue with his good work if elected at the general election.
In his remarks, Melaye congratulated Yusuf for his victory in the rerun election, saying the primary had been fought and won.
”The primary has been fought and won. I congratulate Hon. Yusuf and thank all those who voted in the first and second ballot for me.
”The Gang up is unimaginable but l give God praise. God bless you all,” Melaye said.
Melaye was defeated by the incumbent Sen. Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressive Congress (APC), in a re-run senatorial election in 2019, having represented the district from 2015.