Daniel Dino Melaye, popularly known as Dino Melaye, is a Nigerian politician, actor, and activist who has been in the spotlight for his flamboyant lifestyle, outspoken views, and political controversies. He was a member of the 8th and 9th National Assembly, representing Kogi West Senatorial District until he was sacked by the election tribunal in 2019. 

He is also a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and a vocal critic of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government. In this blog post, we will explore the biography of Dino Melaye, his early life, education, political career, achievements, scandals, and net worth.

Daniel Dino Melaye Profile

Daniel Dino Melaye Early Life and Education

Dino Melaye was born on January 1, 1974, in Kano State, Nigeria. He is from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attended Abdulaziz Attah Memorial College, Okene, for his secondary school education. He graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied geography in 2000. 

He was an active student union member and led the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), African Youth Council, and Commonwealth Youth Council. President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him to chair the Presidential Advisory Council on Youth.

Daniel Dino Melaye Political Career

Dino Melaye started his political career in 2007 when he was elected as a member of the House of Representatives, representing the Kabba/Ijumu Federal Constituency under the PDP's platform. He was known for his strong opposition to the Goodluck Jonathan presidency and advocacy for anti-corruption and good governance. 

He defected to the APC in 2015 and won the senatorial election for Kogi West District. He seconded the nomination of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President despite his party's opposition. He was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and briefly the Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation.

Dino Melaye was also a vocal supporter of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2019 general elections. He returned to the PDP in 2018 and contested for the governorship ticket of Kogi State but lost to Musa Wada. He was re-elected as a senator in 2019, but his victory was challenged by his main rival, Smart Adeyemi of the APC, at the election tribunal. The tribunal nullified his election and ordered a rerun, which he lost to Adeyemi in 2019.

Daniel Dino Melaye Achievements

Dino Melaye has achieved some notable feats in his political and personal life. Some of them are:

• He sponsored and co-sponsored several bills and motions in the National Assembly, such as the Anti-Jungle Justice Bill, the Whistleblower Protection Bill, the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill, and the motion to investigate the alleged mismanagement of $49.8 billion by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

• He received several awards and recognitions for his legislative and humanitarian activities, such as the Best Senator in Nigeria Award by the Senate Press Corps, the Most Outstanding Senator of the Year Award by the Global Excellence Foundation, the Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award by the ECOWAS Youth Council, and the African Man of the Year Award by the African Achievers Award.

• He is a philanthropist who has donated to several causes and projects, such as constructing schools, hospitals, roads, and boreholes in his constituency, providing scholarships and empowerment programs for youths and women, and supporting internally displaced persons and victims of natural disasters.

• He is an actor featured in several Nollywood movies, such as Lemonade, Equity Unbound, Beans, and Silent Prejudice. He has also produced his own movie, titled The Bean Shaped Superhero.

Daniel Dino Melaye Scandals

Dino Melaye has also been involved in several scandals and controversies in his political and personal life. Some of them are:

• An online news platform, Sahara Reporters, accused him of certificate forgery, claiming he did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University. He denied the allegation and presented his certificate to the Senate. The university also confirmed that he was a geography graduate.

• He was accused of being involved in a criminal case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms by the police, who alleged that he supplied arms to some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers. He denied the allegation and resisted arrest by the police. He was eventually arrested and arraigned in court, where he was granted bail.

• He was accused of domestic violence and infidelity by his estranged wife, Tokunbo Melaye, who claimed that he physically abused her and fathered children with other women. He denied the allegation and said that his marriage was dissolved by mutual consent.

• He was accused of attempted suicide by the police, who alleged that he jumped out of a moving vehicle while being transported to Lokoja for trial. He denied the allegation and said that he escaped from the vehicle after it was blocked by some hoodlums who wanted to kill him.

Daniel Dino Melaye Net Worth

Dino Melaye is one of the richest and most influential politicians in Nigeria. He is known for his lavish lifestyle and collection of luxury cars, houses, and clothes. According to various sources, his net worth is around $10 million. He makes money from his political career, business ventures, and acting career.

Controversy And Activism Of Daniel Dino Melaye

Daniel Dino Melaye is a Nigerian politician and former senator involved in controversy and activism. Some examples are:

• An online news platform, Sahara Reporters, accused him of certificate forgery, claiming he did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University. He denied the allegation and presented his certificate to the Senate. The university also confirmed that he was a geography graduate.

• He was accused of being involved in a criminal case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms by the police, who alleged that he supplied arms to some suspected kidnappers and armed robbers. He denied the allegation and resisted arrest by the police. He was eventually arrested and arraigned in court, where he was granted bail.

• He was accused of domestic violence and infidelity by his estranged wife, Tokunbo Melaye, who claimed that he physically abused her and fathered children with other women. He denied the allegation and said that his marriage was dissolved by mutual consent.

• He was accused of attempted suicide by the police, who alleged that he jumped out of a moving vehicle while being transported to Lokoja for trial. He denied the allegation and said that he escaped from the vehicle after it was blocked by some hoodlums who wanted to kill him.

• He was criticized for his ostentatious display of wealth in a music video of Nigerian rapper Kach, who also happens to be the son of the country's oil minister, Ibe Kachikwu. The video for the song, called Dino, features luxury cars, women in underwear, and $100 bills being thrown around. Mr Melaye is also seen stepping out of a sports car, wearing a T-shirt with the word "legend" written on it.

• He was booed and dragged out of a protest ground in Alausa, Ikeja, by angry youths who accused him of being a supporter of the ruling party and a traitor to the #EndSARS movement. He denied the allegations and said he was there to show solidarity with the protesters and lend his voice against police brutality.

• He was removed from the list of performers for a praise night event at a local branch of the Celestial Church of Christ in Lagos State after the church received backlash from the public for inviting secular musicians to a religious program. He said he was not offended by the decision and respected the church's authority.

• He joined other celebrities and activists in calling for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested and detained by the Nigerian government on charges of treason and terrorism. He said he supported Kanu's struggle for self-determination and urged the government to dialogue with him peacefully.

Conclusion

Dino Melaye is a remarkable politician and actor who has significantly impacted the Nigerian political scene. He has overcome many challenges and obstacles and achieved fame, wealth, and recognition for his talent and charisma. 

He has also been a controversial and divisive figure who has faced several allegations and criticisms for his actions and utterances. He is a source of inspiration and amusement for many Nigerians, especially his fans and admirers. Dino Melaye is indeed a legend and a phenomenon in Nigerian politics.

I hope this blog post helps you to learn more about Dino Melaye and his biography. If you have any comments or questions, please share them below. Thank you for reading.