The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zaccheus Adedeji, has said he has no plan to contest for the Oyo State governorship seat in 2027.

The former Oyo Commissioner for Finance, who has been tipped as one of the persons to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde, said he only wants to focus on the task before him.

Speaking during the New Year service of his church in Iwo Ate, Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State on Thursday, Adedeji said he knows that his decision would hurt his supporters.

Adedeji said he had done the work required of him in Oyo when he served as commissioner for finance in the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi.

The FIRS boss asked his well-wishers to pray for him to perform optimally in his current position.

He said, ?I want to use this to respond to a lot of requests. I, Zacch Adedeji, will not contest for the governorship election in 2027.

?I know a lot of people would not be happy about this, but everybody knows the responsibility and grace that God has given to us. I was commissioner of finance 14 years ago. And by that time, with the grace of God, we?ve done all of what God wants us to do in the state.

?He has given us that platform. So the only thing I need from you is your prayers for strength to end well with what I?m doing now. So I would not want to be distracted.?

It was reported that in September 2023, President Bola Tinubu appointed Adedeji to head the FIRS.

Adedeji had previously served as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Sugar Development Council. (The PUNCH)