By Tunde Oladeji
While his name has become synonymous with revolutionary fiscal policy at the national level, Iwoate, Ogbomoso, Oyo State-born Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is being discussed in the bustling political circles of Oyo State for a different, yet equally potent, reason: his deep-rooted connection with the people and his perceived potential as a formidable political asset for the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu come 2027.Adedeji’s tenure at the helm of the FIRS has been marked by a drive for efficiency and a push for a more taxpayer-friendly environment. Under his leadership, the agency has embarked on an ambitious digital transformation, aiming to simplify tax processes and expand the nation’s tax net without stifling economic growth. His data-driven approach and advocacy for harmonized taxes have earned him commendations from economic analysts and the organized private sector, painting a picture of a capable and forward-thinking administrator.However, it is away from the boardrooms of Abuja that the full measure of Adedeji’s influence is being felt. In his home base of Oyo State, the narrative around him is deeply personal. The 47-year-old technocrat has managed to cultivate a rare political profile, seamlessly bridging the generational divide.”For a man in such a high-profile national position, he has no airs,” said Elder Samuel Adegoke, a community leader in Ibadan. “When he is here, he sits with the old, listens to our proverbs and our concerns with genuine respect. At the same time, the young people see him as one of their own—a successful, energetic figure who understands their language and their struggles.”This unique relatability is bolstered by a well-documented history of philanthropic gestures that have quietly endeared him to many across the state. Long before his national appointment, Adedeji had been silently investing in human capital development through personal initiatives.His interventions are notably visible in the education and healthcare sectors. From awarding scholarships to hundreds of indigent students in tertiary institutions to settling the medical bills of countless families in public hospitals, his philanthropy is often described as timely and impactful, devoid of the fanfare that typically accompanies political charity.”Dr. Zacch paid for my final year school fees when my father passed away. He didn’t know me from Adam; my departmental head just forwarded my case,” shared Adeola Samuel, a recent graduate from the University of Ibadan. “That’s the kind of story you hear repeatedly in different forms across different local governments. He touches lives directly, and people don’t forget that.”Political observers in the state now see this potent combination of administrative competence and grassroots goodwill as a significant asset for President Bola Tinubu’s political machinery ahead of the 2027 general elections. Despite this, he has often made it clear to whosoever is listening that he has no interest in Oyo Governorship race.”Zacch Adedeji represents a new breed of technocrat,” noted Dr. Femi Akintola, a political scientist at Lead City University, Ibadan. “He has the credibility from delivering on a national assignment and the grassroots connection from years of sustained, silent empowerment. In political terms, that is gold. For President Tinubu, who will be looking to consolidate support in the South-West, having a figure like Adedeji actively mobilising in a pivotal state like Oyo could be a game-changer. He appeals to both the conservative establishment and the burgeoning youth demographic.”While Adedeji has remained focused on his duties at the FIRS, the political chatter continues to grow. His ability to connect with the people on a human level, cemented by his philanthropic legacy, has positioned him not just as a successful chairman of the FIRS, but as a key figure that has the capacity to further push the 2027, second term agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Oyo State. As one of Ibadan grassroots mobilizers and traditional title holder, Chi3f Akinade Fijabi was said in a widely circulated video, ‘he (Zacch Adedeji) only needs to point us in the direction he wants us to go, we will do the rest’.Clearly, the rewards for the philanthropic gestures of the self-effacing current FIRS Chairman would be fully reaped in 2027 as President Tinubu gears up for a second term shot.Oladeji, a political analyst wrote from Ibadan, Oyo Stat
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