Sen. Dino Melaye has thanked the people of his constituency for “rising to his defence” by shunning the verification exercise held on April 28 to recall him from the Senate.

Melaye, in a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday, also thanked the political leaders, elders and traditional rulers in Kogi West for “rescuing him from his political enemies.”

He also expressed gratitude to the media , observers, civil society groups, security agents and other stakeholders “for resisting to be used against the wishes of the people of his constituency”.

The statement was signed by Mr Gideon Ayodele, Special Assistant on Media to Melaye.

“We thank all democratic partners who have resisted the attempted external political robbery and brazen impunity from raising its most ugly head.

“ We commend the resolve of our people who have by their popular wish and wisdom and political independence rejected the selfish and satanic recall.

“ The verification exercise has come and gone and the people of Kogi west have willingly exercised their franchise by re-validating the election of Sen Dino Melaye,” the lawmaker said.

According to him, the exercise no doubt, has shown that power truly belongs to the people.