Senator Dino Melaye has publicly appealed to King Charles III of the United Kingdom to cancel the planned state visit of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK.
In an open letter addressed to the British monarch and shared on his verified X handle, Melaye titled the correspondence “Open Letter to His Majesty King Charles III: Immediate Request to Cancel the Proposed State Visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.”
The former senator began the letter by presenting a detailed introduction about himself, including his native origins, family background, educational qualifications, and political journey. He emphasized that this introduction was meant to underscore his intimate connection to Nigerian affairs and the shared historical ties between Nigeria and the UK.
Melaye cited several reasons for requesting the cancellation of Tinubu’s state visit. He highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing internal crises, including terrorism, kidnappings, mass killings, and banditry. According to Melaye, extending a state visit to Tinubu amid these challenges would demonstrate Britain’s disregard for Nigeria’s current turmoil.
He further questioned Tinubu’s acceptance as a national unifier, noting that millions of Nigerians view his administration with skepticism, embroiled in controversy. Melaye referenced accusations of institutional capture, along with widespread doubts concerning Tinubu’s academic credentials, biography, and personal history.
“A state visit would be interpreted as Britain giving him credibility. That would be a historic mistake,” Melaye warned in the letter.
Expressing concern about Nigeria’s fragile democracy, the former lawmaker also pointed to fears over the integrity of the upcoming 2027 general elections, which many Nigerians suspect may be manipulated by “powerful forces.”
Melaye additionally drew attention to Nigeria’s deepening economic struggles—marked by hunger, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
“To invite Tinubu to drink champagne in Britain while Nigerians are slaughtered and the nation collapses economically would be interpreted as a cruel insult,” he wrote. “The Crown must not be used as political propaganda.”
Since its publication, the letter has sparked widespread discussion among Nigerians and observers abroad. Many are closely watching to see if Buckingham Palace will officially respond or reconsider the planned state visit.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the British Royal Household.
