2027: Melaye vows to sue over Zacch Adedeji’s role in Tinubu’s campaign

Senator Dino Melaye has announced his intention to challenge the legality of Zacch Adedeji's appointment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. Adedeji, who currently chairs the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), is slated to serve as the Deputy Director of Fundraising for President Bola Tinubu's campaign.

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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.

Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, expressed strong disapproval of President Tinubu also chairing his own campaign council. He described the arrangement as "disgraceful" and unprecedented, suggesting it reflects a lack of confidence within the ruling party. "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," Melaye stated in a video posted on X.

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It shows they are jittery, it shows they are afraid. It shows that Tinubu knows that even the governors in his kitty cannot be trusted. He knows that his ministers cannot be trusted. He knows that there will be an internal implosion within the APC.

The senator further alleged that this move indicates internal anxieties within the APC. "It shows they are jittery, it shows they are afraid. It shows that Tinubu knows that even the governors in his kitty cannot be trusted. He knows that his ministers cannot be trusted. He knows that there will be an internal implosion within the APC," he claimed.

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And the most important aspect of the list that was released by the APC is to see the Chairman of FIRS, the body that collects our revenue as a nation, the Chairman of FIRS is the Deputy Director or Deputy Chairman, or whatever it is, for fundraising for Tinubu’s presidential campaign.

Melaye's primary legal challenge is expected to focus on Adedeji's dual role. He highlighted the potential conflict of interest, stating, "And the most important aspect of the list that was released by the APC is to see the Chairman of FIRS, the body that collects our revenue as a nation, the Chairman of FIRS is the Deputy Director or Deputy Chairman, or whatever it is, for fundraising for Tinubu’s presidential campaign." Melaye, identifying himself as a lawyer, declared his intention to file a lawsuit on Monday to test the validity of this appointment within the framework of public service ethics and rules.

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As a lawyer, by the grace of God, on Monday, I’m going to court. We have to test that.