Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has vowed to challenge in court the appointment of Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji as Deputy Director of Fundraising in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.

Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress in Kogi State, said Adedeji’s role in Tinubu’s campaign could constitute a conflict of interest because he is a serving 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 also faulting Tinubu’s decision to chair the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for his re-election bid.

Melaye described the arrangement as “disgraceful” and questioned why Tinubu, as the party’s presidential candidate, would also lead the council campaigning for his election.

“This is the first time in the history of the universe and the entire world that a presidential candidate of a political party will double as the Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council for his own election,” he said.

He alleged that the structure reflected a lack of confidence among members of the ruling party.

“It shows they are jittery, it shows they are afraid. It shows that Tinubu knows that even the governors in his kitty 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 bogus.”

However, he singled out Adedeji’s appointment to the fundraising team as the issue he intends to pursue legally, arguing that the position raises questions about the responsibilities of a public servant.

“And the most important aspect of the list that was released by the APC is to see the Chairman of FIRS—the body that collects our revenue as a nation—the Chairman of FIRS is the Deputy Director or Deputy Chairman, or whatever it is, for fundraising for Tinubu’s presidential campaign.

“His name is there: Zacch, Chairman FIRS, as the Deputy Director in charge of fundraising of presidential campaign of Tinubu,” Melaye said.

He added, “And you are serving as the country’s Chairman of 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’m going to court. We have to test that.”

Melaye argued that Adedeji’s status as a public servant means he is bound by the Public Service Rules and related ethical requirements.

“If that is not conflict of interest, I don’t know what else it would be. That a man who is a public servant, a man who is a salary earner, a man who is supposed to observe the provisions of the public ethics guidelines of Public Service Rules (PSR)—the man who is supposed to observe PSR is not just supporting Tinubu, he is a member of the Presidential Campaign Council, and he is the Deputy Director in charge of fundraising. And meanwhile, you are in charge of revenue collection of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

He further vowed to maintain his opposition to Tinubu’s bid for another term in office.

“But I will test that in court, and we will make sure that, by the special grace of God, the battle to stop Tinubu is a battle of no retreat, no surrender. We have never gotten this low in the history of this country. It’s a big shame, it’s a disgrace. Haba!” he said.

The APC unveiled Its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council on Saturday, naming Tinubu as chairman, Vice President Kashim Shettima as Vice Chairman I and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda as Vice Chairman II.

Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named Secretary.

The published structure also lists Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as Director of Fundraising and Adedeji as Deputy Director of Fundraising. (Nigerian Tribune)

Update news