‘Pack Your Bags’: Dino Melaye Tells Tinubu to Leave Aso Rock Ahead of 2027 Election.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dino Melaye has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of his family to begin packing their belongings from the Presidential Villa ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Melaye made the statement during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The former Kogi West senator expressed confidence that the opposition would unite and defeat Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.

He said the ADC and other opposition forces were already engaged in discussions aimed at building a broad coalition capable of challenging the APC.

Melaye argued that the political strength of the APC, including its governors, lawmakers and nationwide party structures, would not be enough to secure victory if Nigerians were determined to vote for a change.

According to him, widespread concerns over hunger, insecurity and economic hardship had created significant dissatisfaction with the current administration.

He therefore predicted that the outcome of the 2027 election would result in a change of government.

### Melaye tells Tinubu to pack his bags

In particularly strong language, Melaye urged Tinubu and his family to prepare to vacate the Presidential Villa after the 2027 election.

He said the President's political future would ultimately be determined by voters at the polls.

“And I’m telling you that the results will tell in January. The president and his family members should begin to pack their luggage and things from the villa,” Melaye said.

He added that the opposition would work together to bring about what he described as a change of government.

Melaye also accused the Tinubu administration of failing to adequately address the difficulties confronting Nigerians.

He criticised what he described as the government's handling of the economy, insecurity and other national challenges.

### ADC confident of defeating APC

The ADC chieftain said opposition parties were already discussing how to work together ahead of the election.

He mentioned former presidential candidates and opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Donald Duke, as among those involved in discussions about a possible opposition alliance.

Melaye said the opposition might not be able to bring every political group into a single alliance, but expressed confidence that a majority would eventually work together.

He maintained that such a coalition would have enough electoral strength to defeat Tinubu and the APC.

“The opposition will work together. We may not get 100% of everybody on board, but the majority of the opposition will come together and send Tinubu and the APC packing,” he said.

He further declared that, in his assessment, the President's political days were numbered.

### Tinubu's economic reforms under political scrutiny

Melaye's comments come amid an increasingly heated debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration, particularly its economic reforms.

Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu's government has implemented major policy changes, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign-exchange system.

The reforms have been credited by the government and some economists with improving fiscal conditions, strengthening foreign-exchange market functioning and restoring investor confidence.

However, the policies have also produced significant short-term pressure on households, particularly through higher living costs and increased transportation and food expenses.

Members of the ruling party and government have repeatedly defended the reforms, arguing that they were necessary to stabilise an economy they inherited in difficult circumstances.

Some APC figures have also pointed to falling inflation, increased government revenues, improved foreign-exchange conditions and stronger economic growth as evidence that the reforms are beginning to produce results.

The disagreement over the reforms is expected to remain a major issue in the political debate leading to 2027.

### APC prepares for 2027 battle

While Melaye and other opposition figures are predicting an APC defeat, the ruling party has continued to strengthen its political machinery ahead of the election.

APC leaders have expressed confidence in Tinubu's chances of securing another term and have argued that the administration's reforms and infrastructure projects will become more visible to Nigerians before the election.

The party has also continued to mobilise governors, lawmakers and grassroots structures across the country.

Tinubu's supporters maintain that the President needs more time to complete the reforms and translate the changes into broader economic benefits for Nigerians.

The opposition, however, argues that the hardship associated with the reforms cannot be ignored and that voters will ultimately judge the administration based on their living conditions.

### 2027 battle takes shape

With the election still months away, the political contest is already becoming increasingly intense.

The emergence of the ADC as a major opposition platform has added another dimension to the race, particularly as politicians from different parties explore the possibility of working together against the APC.

Melaye's latest remarks reflect the confidence of the opposition camp, but his prediction remains a political assessment rather than an established outcome.

The 2027 election will ultimately be decided by Nigerian voters when the polls open.

For now, the exchange between the opposition and the ruling party is expected to intensify as political parties build their structures, select candidates and campaign on competing visions for the country's future.