Backlash erupts against APC over NRS appointment tied to ADC’s Obi and Ihedioha

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Igbo Youth Forum has strongly condemned the appointment of Obinna Ihedioha, brother of former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha, and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as an Executive Director of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), describing it as a “direct insult” to loyal party members in the South-East.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chukwuemeka Chidi, the group accused the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, of rewarding individuals linked to the opposition while abandoning APC members who endured intimidation, hostility and political exclusion during the 2023 election campaigns.

According to the group, Obinna Ihedioha is closely associated with opposition political forces and allegedly worked for Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, during the last general elections.

They further described him as an ally of members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioning how such a figure could be entrusted with a sensitive position in a critical national revenue institution.

The group said his appointment as Executive Director, People, Stakeholders and Communication, representing the SouthEast, raises serious security and loyalty concerns.

“Placing a known opposition affiliate in charge of people management and communication within the Nigeria Revenue Service is reckless and dangerous,” the statement read.

The forum warned that the decision undermines party loyalty, discourages grassroots mobilisation, and sends a damaging signal to APC supporters who sacrificed time, resources and personal safety to defend the party in the South East.

They accused the current leadership of recycling political appeasement at the expense of loyalty and competence.

The group announced plans to mobilise protests nationwide if the appointment is not reviewed, insisting that the South-East has no shortage of competent and loyal APC members deserving of federal appointments.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately intervene, reverse the appointment, and ensure that federal positions meant for the region are not handed to individuals who, according to them, “worked openly against the mandate of the present administration.”