Former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has vowed to file a court action challenging the inclusion of Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) chairman Zacch Adedeji on the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, where Adedeji is listed as Deputy Director of Fundraising. Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State, announced the legal move in a video posted on his official X account on August 23.
Conflict of Interest Allegations Over Adedeji's Dual Role
According to PUNCH, the APC published its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list on Saturday. President Bola Tinubu was named chairman, with 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 named Director-General, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Secretary, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as Director of Fundraising. Zacch Adedeji, who heads the country's revenue collection agency, appears on the list as Deputy Director of Fundraising.
Melaye said placing a public servant who oversees national revenue collection in a campaign fundraising role was a clear conflict of interest. "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," he said.
He argued that Adedeji's position as a salary-earning public servant bound him to the Public Service Rules (PSR), which Melaye believes the campaign appointment violates. "A 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," Melaye said.
Melaye Criticises Tinubu for Chairing His Own Campaign
Beyond Adedeji's appointment, Melaye also took aim at Tinubu's decision to personally chair the campaign council, describing it as without precedent. "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 claimed the arrangement pointed to a breakdown of trust within 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," Melaye said, adding that the overall structure of the council was "very, very, very bogus."
Melaye closed his remarks with a direct warning about his plans for the 2027 election cycle. "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," he said.
Melaye Tips Atiku for 2027 Presidential Race
Legit.ng earlier reported that Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has tipped former vice-president Atiku Abubakar to emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election. According to Senator Melaye, who represented Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Atiku is "the only name that echoes across all corners of Nigeria," adding confidently that the 79-year-old serial presidential candidate "is coming in great style."
The legal action, scheduled for Monday, will test the legality of Adedeji's appointment and the broader structure of the APC campaign council, potentially setting a precedent for public servants' involvement in political campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
