Dino Melaye vows court battle over Tinubu campaign appointment

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has threatened legal action over the appointment of Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign team.

Melaye is challenging Adedeji’s reported appointment as Deputy Director of Fundraising for the presidential campaign, arguing that the role could conflict with his responsibilities as head of the federal revenue agency.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, the former senator said he intends to test the legality of the appointment in court.

“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,” Melaye said.

He argued that Adedeji, whose appointment as NRS chairman was confirmed by the Senate, remained bound by existing laws and public service regulations.

“There is a conflict of interest, and we want to test it in a court of law,” he added.

Melaye went further to accuse the All Progressives Congress and Tinubu of desperation ahead of the 2027 election, allegations that remain his claims and have not been established by any court.

He also questioned the reported inclusion of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in the campaign structure.

“These people are not serious. These people are corrupt. These people are desperate,” Melaye alleged.

The former senator also claimed that criticism surrounding the composition of the campaign team prompted a rethink of the list.

According to him, reports that the list had been suspended over omitted names were merely a response to the controversy generated by the appointments.

“We know it is because of our outcry,” he said.

Melaye had earlier indicated that he would approach the court over Adedeji’s campaign role, setting the stage for a possible legal test of whether the head of the nation’s revenue agency can simultaneously participate in fundraising for a presidential campaign.