APC Youth Forum Condemns Alleged NRS Appointment Linked to Opposition Figures
An influential youth group within Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress has raised serious objections to the alleged appointment of Obinna Ihedioha as an executive director of the Nigeria Revenue Service. The APC Igbo Youth Forum has described this development as deeply troubling and potentially damaging to party loyalty in the southeast region.
Political Connections Spark Controversy
According to the group's national coordinator, Chukwuemeka Chidi, the appointee maintains close family and political ties to prominent opposition figures. Obinna Ihedioha is reportedly the brother of former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha, who currently serves as a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress. The group further alleges that the appointee actively worked for Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections, when Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate and has since become an ADC leader.
The APC youth forum has characterized this appointment as a direct insult to loyal party members who endured significant challenges during the previous election cycle. They argue that rewarding individuals with opposition connections while overlooking dedicated APC supporters creates a dangerous precedent that could undermine future political mobilization efforts.
Security and Loyalty Concerns Raised
The group has expressed particular concern about the specific position Obinna Ihedioha is allegedly appointed to fill: Executive Director for People, Stakeholders and Communication, representing the Southeast geopolitical zone. They question the wisdom of placing someone with known opposition affiliations in charge of sensitive communication and people management functions within a critical national revenue institution.
"Placing a known opposition affiliate in charge of people management and communication within the Nigeria Revenue Service is reckless and dangerous," the group stated in their official communique. They believe this appointment raises legitimate security questions and could potentially compromise the integrity of revenue collection and management processes.
Accusations Against NRS Leadership
In their strongly worded statement, the APC youth forum has leveled serious allegations against the executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji. They accuse him of systematically rewarding individuals connected to opposition political forces while deliberately sidelining APC members who faced intimidation, hostility, and political exclusion during the intense 2023 election campaigns.
The group contends that the southeast region has numerous competent and loyal APC members who deserve consideration for federal appointments. They argue that bypassing these qualified individuals in favor of opposition affiliates represents a fundamental betrayal of party loyalty and could have long-term consequences for political engagement in the region.
Call for Presidential Intervention
The APC Igbo Youth Forum has issued a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in this matter. They are urging the immediate withdrawal of the alleged appointment and calling for a review of the appointment process to ensure that federal positions designated for the southeast region are allocated to individuals who demonstrated support for the current administration.
The group has warned that failure to address their concerns could lead to organized protests nationwide. They have announced plans to mobilize their members and sympathetic organizations if their demand for the appointment's reversal is not met promptly. This potential mobilization represents a significant escalation in their response to what they perceive as political injustice.
Broader Political Context
This controversy emerges against a backdrop of increasing political tension as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. In a related development, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda recently declared that political appointments following the 2027 elections would be reserved strictly for party loyalists. He emphasized that professionals without firm party affiliation should not expect appointments under an APC-led government.
This statement, made during a mobilization event in Abuja, underscores the growing emphasis on party loyalty within Nigeria's political landscape. The current controversy surrounding the alleged NRS appointment highlights the practical challenges of implementing such loyalty-based appointment policies while maintaining professional standards in critical national institutions.
The situation continues to develop as political observers monitor both the APC youth group's next actions and the official response from the Nigeria Revenue Service and presidential administration. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for political appointments, party loyalty, and regional representation in Nigeria's federal government structure.
