Senator Dino Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kogi State, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to serve as chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Melaye described the arrangement as unprecedented and questioned why Tinubu, who is expected to be the APC’s presidential candidate, would also chair the campaign council established to secure his re-election.
The former senator made the remarks in a video posted on his official X account on Sunday, as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
“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 said.
He described the arrangement as “disgraceful”, alleging that it reflected anxiety within the ruling party ahead of the election.
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“It shows they are jittery. It shows they are afraid,” he said.
Melaye also took aim at the size and structure of the campaign council, describing it as “very, very, very bogus”.
According to him, several positions and committees appeared to have been duplicated, raising questions about the effectiveness of the structure.
The ADC chieftain further raised concerns over the reported appointment of Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly known as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to a fundraising position within Tinubu’s campaign council.
“The chairman of FIRS is the deputy director in charge of fundraising of presidential campaign of Tinubu,” Melaye alleged.
He questioned whether the reported role could create a conflict of interest, given Adedeji’s position as a public official responsible for revenue collection.
“Is there no conflict in this? As a lawyer, by the grace of God, on Monday I’m going to court. We have to test that,” he said.
Melaye argued that public officials were expected to operate within the provisions of the Public Service Rules and other applicable regulations.
“If that is not conflict of interest, I don’t know what else it would be,” he added.
The former senator said he intended to challenge the matter in court, although he did not provide details of the specific legal action or reliefs he intended to seek.
His comments come shortly after the Presidency announced the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Tinubu was named chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, were appointed vice chairmen.
Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, was named Director-General, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma appointed secretary.
The campaign council also includes several senior government officials, APC leaders and political figures who will oversee mobilisation, election planning, media, legal affairs and other aspects of the campaign.
Melaye, however, maintained that the opposition campaign against Tinubu’s re-election would continue with renewed determination.
He vowed that he and other opposition figures would continue to challenge the President’s bid for another term.
“The battle to stop Tinubu is a battle of no retreat, no surrender,” Melaye declared.
