President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Obinna Ihedioha as Executive Director in charge of People, Stakeholders, and Communication at the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), representing the South East geopolitical zone.
The appointment has ignited political controversy within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly among youth groups in the South East, who have openly criticised the decision. Obinna Ihedioha is a brother to former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
His emergence as a top executive at the Nigeria Revenue Service has reopened debates around party loyalty, political compensation, and inclusiveness under the Tinubu administration.
The appointment was part of a broader restructuring and staffing of strategic federal revenue institutions following recent reforms in Nigeria’s fiscal administration framework.
According to official information available, Obinna Ihedioha will oversee human resources management, stakeholder engagement, and public communication at the Nigeria Revenue Service. The role places him at the centre of internal workforce administration, external institutional relations, and public-facing messaging of the revenue agency.
The Nigeria Revenue Service is considered a sensitive national institution, given its role in revenue mobilisation, taxpayer engagement, and intergovernmental fiscal coordination. Appointments into its executive management are often closely scrutinised due to their strategic importance.
APC Youths Condemn Appointment The appointment has drawn sharp criticism from the youth wing of the APC in the South East, led by the APC Igbo Youth Forum.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group described the appointment as politically insensitive and demoralising to party loyalists in the region. The statement, signed by the National Coordinator of the APC Igbo Youth Forum, Chukwuemeka Chidi, accused the Tinubu-led federal government of sidelining loyal party members in favour of individuals perceived to have strong ties to opposition political platforms.
According to the group, APC supporters in the South East endured political hostility, intimidation, and exclusion during the 2023 general elections while defending the party’s presence in the region. “The APC in the South East went through threats, intimidation, exclusion, and open hostility during the last election cycle,” the statement said. “Our members stood their ground, defended the party, and paid a heavy price for their loyalty.”
Allegations of Opposition Affiliation Central to the backlash are allegations that Obinna Ihedioha maintains close links with opposition political figures. The APC youth group alleged that he is a key leader within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and actively supported the presidential campaign of Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 elections.
The group argued that these alleged affiliations raise serious concerns about his suitability for a senior role in a federal agency under an APC-led government. “Appointing someone with known opposition ties into such a strategic position is a slap in the face to loyal party members who sacrificed everything for the APC,” the statement said.
While these claims have not been independently verified, they have intensified internal party tensions in a region where the APC continues to face electoral challenges. Concerns Over Institutional Sensitivity The APC youths questioned how an individual allegedly associated with rival political movements could be entrusted with overseeing people management and communication at a national revenue
They described the executive director role as one requiring absolute discretion, institutional loyalty, and alignment with the policy direction of the ruling government.
“Putting a known opposition supporter in charge of managing people and handling communication at the Nigeria Revenue Service is very risky and harmful,” the group stated.
“This decision undermines loyalty within the party and discourages grassroots participation.” The group warned that such appointments could weaken internal party morale and create uncertainty among party members who expect political rewards for loyalty and service.
Claims of Political Appeasement Beyond the specific appointment, the APC Igbo Youth Forum accused unnamed party leaders of promoting what they described as “political appeasement.” According to the group, this approach rewards political opportunism at the expense of long-standing party commitment.
They argued that the South East has a pool of qualified and loyal APC members capable of occupying federal positions allocated to the region. “The South East is not lacking in competent, experienced, and loyal APC members,” the statement said.
“Repeated appointments of individuals perceived to be hostile to the party only deepen feelings of marginalisation among genuine supporters.” Threat of Protests The youth group issued a warning that failure to review the appointment could result in nationwide protests.
According to them, such demonstrations would aim to draw attention to what they see as injustice against party loyalists and the erosion of internal cohesion within the APC. “We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately review and reverse this appointment,” the group said. “Federal positions meant for the South East should not be handed over to individuals who openly opposed this government during elections.
” The group did not specify a timeline for the proposed protests but insisted that grassroots mobilisation was already underway. Official Silence from Presidency, NRS As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Revenue Service has issued an official statement responding to the allegations or the demands raised by the APC youth group.
There has also been no public clarification regarding the criteria used in Obinna Ihedioha’s appointment or any response to claims about his political affiliations. Broader Political Context The controversy underscores persistent internal tensions within the APC, particularly in the South East, where the party has struggled to gain broad electoral acceptance.
Political observers note that while President Tinubu has repeatedly emphasised inclusive governance and national unity, balancing inclusiveness with party loyalty remains a delicate challenge. Appointments involving individuals perceived as politically neutral or opposition-aligned have previously generated internal disagreements within the APC, especially among grassroots supporters who view federal appointments as a measure of political recognition.
The Obinna Ihedioha appointment adds to the growing debate over whether the Tinubu administration’s inclusion strategy is diluting party structures or fostering broader national integration, particularly in politically sensitive regions such as the South East.
As reactions continue to unfold, attention remains on whether the Presidency will address the concerns raised or allow the appointment to stand amid mounting internal pressure.
