Former Kogi West Senator dino melaye has vowed to challenge in court the appointment of Nigerian Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji as deputy director of fundraising at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
Melaye, an African Democratic Congress leader in Kogi State, said Adedeji’s role in Tinubu’s campaign could constitute a conflict of interest because he is a public official responsible for the country’s revenue collection.
He made the comments in a video posted on his official X account on Sunday, while criticizing Tinubu’s decision to chair the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for his re-election bid.
Melaye described the agreement as “shameful” and questioned why Tinubu, as the party’s presidential candidate, would also lead the council’s campaign for his election.
“This is the first time in the history of the universe and the entire world that a presidential candidate from a political party will serve as chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council for his own election,” he said.
He alleged that the structure reflected a lack of trust among members of the ruling party.
“This shows that they are nervous, it shows that they are afraid. It shows that Tinubu knows that even his kitty governors cannot be trusted. He knows that his ministers cannot be trusted. He knows that there will be an internal implosion within the APC,” he said.
Melaye also took issue with the size and composition of the campaign council, describing it as “very, very, very disingenuous.”
However, he highlighted Adedeji’s appointment to the fundraising team as the issue he intends to legally address, arguing that the position raises questions about the responsibilities of a public servant.
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“And the most important aspect of the list that was published by APC is to see the President of FIRS—the body that collects our revenue as a nation—the President of FIRS is the Deputy Director or Vice President, or whatever, to raise funds for Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
“His name is there: Zacch, FIRS president, as deputy director in charge of fundraising for Tinubu’s presidential campaign,” Melaye said.
He added: “And you serve as Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, NRS, formally known as FIRS. Is there no conflict in this? As a lawyer, by the grace of God, on Monday I will go to court. We have to prove that.”
Melaye argued that Adedeji’s status as a public servant means he is subject to the Public Service Rules and related ethical requirements.
“If that is not a conflict of interest, I don’t know what else would be. That a man who is a public servant, a man who earns a salary, a man who is supposed to observe the provisions of the public ethics guidelines of the Public Service Rules (PSR), the man who is supposed to observe the PSR not only supports Tinubu, he is a member of the Presidential Campaign Council and is the deputy director in charge of fundraising. And meanwhile, you are in charge of the revenue collection of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
He also promised to maintain his opposition to Tinubu’s candidacy for another term.
“But I will prove it in court and we will ensure that by the special grace of God, the battle to stop Tinubu is a battle without retreat or surrender. We have never reached this low in the history of this country. It is a great shame, it is a shame. Haba!” said.
APC on Saturday unveiled its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, naming Tinubu as Chairman, Vice President Kashim Shettima as Vice President I and APC National President Nentawe Yilwatda as Vice President II.
Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was appointed Secretary.
The published structure also lists Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as Director of Fundraising and Adedeji as Deputy Director of Fundraising.
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