Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has announced plans to challenge the appointment of the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Melaye, an African Democratic Congress chieftain in Kogi State, said he would approach the court to determine whether Adedeji’s involvement in the campaign council, particularly as Deputy Director of Fundraising, violates public service rules.
He disclosed this in a video shared on his official X account on Sunday while criticising the composition of the APC campaign council.
The former senator also faulted President Bola Tinubu’s decision to chair the campaign council for his own re-election bid.
“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,” Melaye said.
He alleged that the arrangement reflected internal concerns within the governing party and claimed that the leadership was uncertain about the loyalty of some governors and ministers.
According to him, the size of the campaign council was also excessive.
Melaye’s major objection, however, centred on Adedeji, who is listed as Deputy Director of Fundraising in the campaign council while serving as the country’s revenue chief.
He questioned whether a serving public official responsible for revenue collection could simultaneously occupy a fundraising position in a presidential campaign.
“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,” he said.
Melaye argued that Adedeji, as a public servant, was required to comply with the Public Service Rules and relevant public ethics provisions.
“If that is not conflict of interest, I don’t know what else it would be,” he stated.
He said Adedeji’s role was particularly concerning because the NRS is responsible for collecting revenue for the Federal Government, while the campaign council position involves fundraising for Tinubu’s political campaign.
Melaye vowed to continue his opposition to Tinubu’s bid for another term, describing the contest as one in which he would not back down.
“The battle to stop Tinubu is a battle of no retreat, no surrender,” he said.
The APC released the membership of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council on Saturday, naming Tinubu as Chairman, Vice President Kashim Shettima as Vice Chairman I and the 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.
