Senator Dino Melaye writes King of England to cancel Tinubu’s state visit {DETAILS}

By KEMI KASUMU

He said his intervention was driven by what he described as “urgency, seriousness and moral clarity” regarding the planned engagement between the British monarch and Nigeria’s president.

Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has urged King Charles III to cancel or postpone a proposed state visit to the United Kingdom by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing concerns over Nigeria’s current political and economic climate.

Melaye made the appeal in an open letter published on his verified X account on February 22, 2026. He said his intervention was driven by what he described as “urgency, seriousness and moral clarity” regarding the planned engagement between the British monarch and Nigeria’s president.

In the letter, the former federal lawmaker argued that Nigeria is grappling with significant political, economic and security challenges, which he believes make the timing of a ceremonial state visit inappropriate.

He pointed to ongoing security concerns, including terrorism, kidnappings and organised criminal violence in parts of the country. Melaye also referenced rising inflation, economic hardship and declining public trust in democratic institutions.

The former senator further stated that President Tinubu’s administration remains the subject of public controversy. He cited allegations of corruption, questions surrounding financial history and political funding, as well as disputes over academic and personal records.

According to Melaye, hosting the Nigerian leader at the highest ceremonial level could be perceived by some Nigerians as an endorsement of his leadership at a time when segments of the population are expressing dissatisfaction.

He also raised concerns about Nigeria’s political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning of growing distrust among sections of the populace. Melaye suggested that a state visit could be interpreted as foreign validation of the current administration while democratic processes remain under scrutiny.

Additionally, he argued that the optics of a formal reception in London would be insensitive to Nigerians facing economic hardship and insecurity, cautioning that such a visit could intensify public frustration and deepen divisions within the country.

FULL TEXT OF OPEN LETTER BELOW:

OPEN LETTER TO HIS MAJESTY KING CHARLES IIIRe: Immediate Request to Cancel the Proposed State Visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria

Your Majesty,

I write this letter with the respect due to the Crown, but also with urgency, seriousness, and moral clarity.

My name is Kio Amachree. I am a Nigerian political scientist and a citizen whose family history is deeply woven into the constitutional and political foundation of Nigeria.

My grandfather was Chief Sekin Amachree, a historic Kalabari leader whose name remains well known in the Niger Delta and within the broader story of Nigeria’s early political development. My late father, Chief Godfrey Kio JaJa Amachree, QC, was not only Nigeria’s first Solicitor-General and Acting Attorney-General, but also served at international level as Africa’s first Under-Secretary-General. He was a statesman of the highest calibre and a man whose public service was rooted in integrity, discipline, and duty.

I was educated at Eton College between 1970 and 1975, and I remain closely connected to the United Kingdom. During my years at Eton I formed a close and lasting friendship with Sir Nicholas Coleridge, now Provost of Eton College, who was a good friend to me during my time at the school. Sir Nicholas is well known to Your Majesty and is part of the British establishment at the highest level.

I mention this for one reason only:

I am not writing from the outside. I am writing from within the network of history, relationships, and serious national interest that connects Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

This matter is grave.

Your Majesty, I respectfully but firmly request that you cancel or immediately postpone any state visit, formal invitation, or ceremonial reception involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.

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1. Nigeria Is Not Stable: A State Visit Is a Strategic and Security Error

Nigeria today is a nation close to rupture.

The country faces:
• terrorism and insurgency
• kidnappings and mass killings
• banditry and organised criminal violence
• collapsing confidence in democratic institutions
• severe economic hardship and inflation
• deepening ethnic and regional tensions

Nigeria is divided to a level approaching national fracture.

Under these circumstances, a state visit in London would not be diplomacy. It would be denial.

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2. Tinubu’s Credibility Is Under Serious Question

President Tinubu is not viewed by millions of Nigerians as a legitimate national unifier.

His presidency is surrounded by major public controversy, including:
• long-standing allegations of corruption
• persistent questions about financial history and political funding
• accusations of institutional capture
• widespread doubt over his academic claims, biography, and personal records
• the growing belief that Nigeria is being run by a political cartel rather than democratic leadership

A state visit would be interpreted as Britain giving him credibility.

That would be a historic mistake.

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3. Nigeria’s Democracy Is in Danger

Nigeria is approaching the 2027 election cycle with fear and distrust.

Many Nigerians believe powerful forces intend to manipulate the electoral process again, pushing the country toward political unrest and potential collapse.

To host President Tinubu at the highest ceremonial level would send a message that Britain is indifferent to the erosion of Nigerian democracy.

It would be seen as endorsement of electoral fraud.

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4. The Optics Are Morally Offensive

Millions of Nigerians are suffering:
• hunger and inflation
• unemployment and despair
• insecurity that has become routine
• families destroyed by violence and kidnappings

To invite Tinubu to drink champagne in Britain while Nigerians are slaughtered and the nation collapses economically would be interpreted as a cruel insult.

It will fuel anger across Nigeria.

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5. The Crown Must Not Be Used as Political Propaganda

Your Majesty, Tinubu’s government