A fresh political storm has erupted over the inclusion of Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign, with former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye vowing to take the matter to court.
The controversy followed the unveiling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, where Adedeji was named Deputy Director of Fundraising.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun was named Director of Fundraising, with Adedeji and Farouk Gumel as his deputies. The campaign council was unveiled by the APC on Saturday, August 22.
Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioned how the head of the country’s revenue-collecting agency could simultaneously occupy a key fundraising position in a partisan presidential campaign.
In a video posted on his social media account on Sunday, Melaye said he would approach the court on Monday, August 24, to test the legality of Adedeji’s involvement.
He argued that Adedeji’s position as a public official raised questions about conflict of interest and compliance with the Public Service Rules.
The former senator said the issue was more serious because Adedeji was not merely listed as a supporter of Tinubu but had been assigned a specific responsibility in the campaign’s fundraising structure.
The development has also drawn criticism from other political commentators, with concerns centred on the need to maintain a clear separation between government institutions and partisan political activities.
The controversy comes as opposition parties intensify their scrutiny of Tinubu’s 2027 campaign structure.
The APC council has President Tinubu as chairman, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda were named vice chairmen. Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Secretary.
For Melaye, however, the biggest question remains whether the country’s chief revenue collector should be helping to raise funds for the political campaign of the same administration under which he serves.
He has now promised to let the courts determine whether the arrangement passes the test of public service ethics.
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