The chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has revealed that he does not have plan to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo state.
He made this known on Thursday during the New Year service of his church in Iwo Ate, Ogo-Oluwa LGA of Oyo.
There have been multiple reports about the possibility of FIRS chief joining the race albeit he has not made any public declaration.
In December 2024, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth Coalition for Good Governance claimed that Adedeji was distracted as a result of his alleged political ambition.
However, whilst speaking during the New Year service, the FIRS chairman noted that he had done the work required of him in Oyo during the time he served as commissioner for finance in the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi.
He then asked his well-wishers to pray for him to perform optimally in his current position.
“I want to respond to a lot of requests. I, Zach Adedeji, will not contest for the governorship election in 2027,” he said.
“I know a lot of people will not be happy about this but everybody that knows the responsibility and grace that Almighty has given to us… I was commissioner of finance 14 years ago and by that time, with the grace of God, we’d done all God wanted us to do in the state.
“He has given us that platform so the only thing I need from you is the prayer that in what I’m doing now, that the Lord gives me strength. So, I would not want to be distracted.”
President Bola Tinubu appointed Adedeji as the chairman of FIRS in September 2023.
Prior to this appointment, Adedeji had served as the executive secretary and chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).