The reported involvement of Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji in fundraising for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign has drawn criticism from African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dino Melaye, who says the two roles should not be held simultaneously.
Melaye argued that Adedeji’s position as head of the NRS and his reported campaign fundraising role create a conflict of interest.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, the former Kogi West lawmaker said he was prepared to challenge the matter in court.
The Issue Melaye Is Raising
According to Melaye, Adedeji’s position as NRS chairman carries significant public responsibilities and should be exercised in accordance with existing laws and public-service rules.
He argued that a serving chairman of the revenue agency should not simultaneously function as a fundraiser for the presidential campaign of an incumbent president.
Melaye described the situation as a conflict of interest and said he wanted the courts to determine the legality of the arrangement.
“Zacch Adedeji cannot be the chairman of the NRS and, at the same time, be a fundraiser for the presidential campaign of a sitting President,”
he said.
Why Adedeji’s Appointment Is Part of the Argument
Melaye also questioned the circumstances surrounding Adedeji’s appointment as NRS chairman.
He noted that the appointment was confirmed by the Senate and argued that the officeholder must therefore operate within the laws and regulations governing the position.
The ADC chieftain went further by alleging that Adedeji may have been appointed partly because of his potential role in raising funds for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
That claim was presented by Melaye as part of his argument over the reported dual role.
Melaye Threatens Court Action
The opposition figure said he would seek judicial intervention over what he described as an unacceptable conflict.
Melaye said the matter should be tested in court so that the legal boundaries surrounding Adedeji’s public position and political involvement can be examined.
He also criticised the Tinubu administration and the APC over what he described as an attitude of disregard toward the controversy.
His position is that the issue goes beyond party politics and raises questions about the responsibilities attached to holding a senior public office.
The Political Argument Behind the Criticism
Melaye linked the controversy to the broader political preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
He accused the administration of using senior government figures in campaign-related activities and described the situation as evidence of what he called political desperation.
He also mentioned the reported inclusion of the Group Managing Director of the NNPC in the campaign structure, arguing that the development raised further questions about the involvement of senior public officials in the ruling party’s electoral activities.
However, these characterisations represent Melaye’s political assessment of the situation.
Melaye and the Campaign List Controversy
Melaye also connected his criticism to the reported suspension of the presidential campaign list.
He claimed that after he publicly raised concerns about the reported composition of the campaign structure, the list was quickly suspended.
According to Melaye, the explanation that some names were missing from the list was not the real reason for the suspension.
He alleged that the decision followed the criticism he had raised.
The claim about why the list was suspended remains Melaye’s account of the development.
The Broader Public-Office Question
At the heart of Melaye’s criticism is a question about the separation between public responsibilities and partisan political activity.
The NRS chairman occupies a senior position within Nigeria’s revenue administration, while campaign fundraising is connected to electoral and partisan activity.
Melaye believes the combination requires legal scrutiny and has indicated that he intends to pursue that route.
The supplied report, however, does not include a response from Adedeji, the NRS, the Presidency or the APC to the allegations.
What Melaye Wants Established
Melaye’s stated objective is for the courts to examine whether Adedeji can lawfully combine his position as NRS chairman with a fundraising role for Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
He also wants what he described as the circumstances behind Adedeji’s appointment to be scrutinised.
For Melaye, the issue is part of a wider argument over how public institutions and government officials should operate during an election cycle.
His comments have therefore placed the reported campaign role of the NRS chairman at the centre of a political and potential legal controversy ahead of the 2027 election.
