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By News Desk

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has demanded the immediate resignation of Dr. Zacch Adedeji as Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) following his inclusion in the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council as Deputy Director of Fundraising.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, signed by CNPP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Comrade James Ezema, the umbrella body of opposition political parties argued that serving as the nation’s chief revenue administrator while simultaneously acting as a key fundraiser for the ruling party creates an unconstitutional conflict of interest.

Constitutional Conflict and Institutional Neutrality

Addressing the controversy surrounding the initial publication and subsequent disputed withdrawal of the APC campaign council list, the CNPP emphasized that removing Adedeji’s name from a document does not eliminate the core ethical concerns:

• Conflict of Interest Rule: Citing the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, the CNPP noted that public officers are prohibited from placing themselves in positions where personal or political interests conflict with official duties.
• Separation of Roles: While acknowledging Adedeji’s constitutional right to belong to a political party under Section 40, the CNPP stated that public institutions—especially tax administration authorities—must remain strictly impartial to maintain public confidence.
• Public Service Rules Violations: The coalition called on the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and ethics authorities to clarify whether Adedeji received formal approval or a waiver under Public Service Rules 030422 and 030423 to engage in partisan political operations.

Summary of Demands

The CNPP outlined a six-point demand calling on the Presidency, the Code of Conduct Bureau, and the NRS leadership to protect institutional integrity:

• Immediate Resignation or Withdrawal: Adedeji must either resign as NRS Executive Chairman to join the campaign or completely withdraw from all APC campaign council and fundraising activities.
• Transparency on Exemptions: The Presidency must disclose whether any lawful waiver was granted allowing the serving revenue chief to engage in partisan campaign mobilization.
• Code of Conduct Review: The Code of Conduct Bureau must examine the appointment regarding constitutional conflict-of-interest prohibitions.
• Affirmation of Neutrality: The NRS must publicly reaffirm its institutional neutrality, assuring taxpayers, political opposition, and business entities that tax administration will remain free from political favoritism or retaliation.