EADC Chieftain Challenges Adedeji’s Campaign Appointment, Citing Possible Conflict Of Interest Over His Revenue Service Role.
A former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has threatened legal action against the appointment of the Chairman, Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji into President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.
Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State, questioned Adedeji’s appointment as Deputy Director of Fundraising, arguing that his position as head of the country’s revenue agency could create a conflict of interest.
He made the remarks in a video posted on his official X account on Sunday.
Melaye said he would approach the court on Monday to challenge Adedeji’s participation in the campaign council, particularly his role in fundraising.
“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, as a public servant, was bound by the Public Service Rules and public service ethics, and questioned how he could simultaneously oversee national revenue collection and serve in a political campaign fundraising structure.
“If that is not conflict of interest, I don’t know what else it would be,” Melaye said.
He also criticised President Tinubu’s decision to chair the APC Presidential Campaign Council, describing the arrangement as unprecedented and “disgraceful”.
He maintained that, “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.
According to Melaye, Tinubu’s decision to personally lead the campaign council suggested that the President lacked confidence in members of his party and government to deliver the 2027 election.
He also described the campaign council as excessively large and questioned the rationale behind its structure.
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 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.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun was listed as Director of Fundraising, with Adedeji named Deputy Director of Fundraising.
Melaye vowed to continue opposing Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying his planned legal action was part of efforts to challenge what he described as irregularities surrounding the administration and its campaign structure.
