Former federal lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, has disclosed plans to institute legal action against President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), as Deputy Director of Fundraising for the president’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday unveiled members of its campaign council, with Adedeji’s name among those appointed to key positions.
The appointment has generated reactions from Nigerians, with concerns raised over a possible conflict of interest, particularly because the NRS is responsible for collecting revenue on behalf of the Federal Government.
Reacting to the development in a video shared on his Facebook page, Melaye said the appointment should be legally challenged.
According to him, the NRS chairman’s involvement in fundraising for a presidential campaign raises serious questions about conflict of interest and compliance with public service rules.
“The most disturbing part of the list released by the APC is seeing the chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), the body that collects our revenue, serving as Director in charge of fundraising for Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
“Is there no conflict in this? As a lawyer, by the grace of God, on Monday, I’m heading to court. We have to test that. If that is not a conflict of interest, then I don’t know what would be.
“That a civil servant, a man who earns a salary and is supposed to adhere to public service rules, is not just supporting a presidential candidate but serving as Deputy Director in charge of fundraising.”
Melaye’s planned legal action is expected to seek judicial clarification on whether Adedeji’s appointment to the campaign council is compatible with his responsibilities as head of the nation’s revenue-collecting agency.
