Dino Melaye, a former Kogi West Senator, has expressed regret for previously backing the All Progressives Congress, describing his past support as a mistake.

The former guber candidate also expressed confidence in the African Democratic Congress to present a strong contender capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Melaye while Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday, acknowledged his past alignment with the ruling party but said he had since turned a new leaf.

“Once I was blind, now I can see. I regret in totality.

“Just like you confess your sins daily in the Lord’s prayer, I ask for forgiveness.

“Anyone who has moved with the devil, anyone who has aligned with an unholy tendency, should regret it,” the former lawmaker said.

Speaking further, Melaye slammed the APC administration for worsening socio-economic conditions, saying hunger and poverty have reached dangerous levels across Nigeria.

“You don’t need a prophet to tell you what is happening in this country. It is visible even to the blind and audible to the deaf.

“The hunger in the land is shattered. People are dying of malnutrition in rural communities.

“Take a trip today to your village and just announce that you want to share two bags of rice.

“If you are not careful, there will be dead casualties from the struggle to get something,” he said.

Turning to 2027 politics, Melaye said the ADC was focused on building a stable party platform that would produce a credible presidential candidate to defeat Tinubu.

“Especially those of us in the ADC, we need to create a comfortable, stable platform.

“I believe that platform will produce a candidate that will unseat President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in 2027,” he said.

When asked if he would support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Melaye declined to endorse any aspirant, saying his focus was on strengthening the party first.

“I will not be talking about a presidential candidate or preference for anybody until we get the party completely stabilised and organise a transparently honest convention,” he said.

Although Atiku has not officially declared interest in the 2027 race, Melaye praised his ongoing political efforts.

“What Atiku is doing is rescuing this country, bringing together men of honour and valour to correct and palliate the satanic manifestation of the APC,” Melaye added.