A community-based organization, the Zamfara Circle Community Initiative (ZCI), has raised objections to the nomination of a non-indigene as the Executive Chairman of the Zamfara Internal Revenue Service (ZIRS) and has submitted a petition to the governor and the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly. This move is based on an alleged violation of the Zamfara State Consolidated Revenue Law 2020, which stipulates that the chairman of ZIRS must be an indigene of the state.
In a petition submitted to the governor and the Speaker, ZCI highlighted the breach of Section 4(1)(a)(ii) of the state’s revenue law and emphasized that the nominee, Mrs. Rakiya Ibrahim Baba Gusau, reportedly an indigene of Katsina State, is also identified as Rakiya Ahmed Dodo in records available at the Federal Revenue Service, her current place of employment.
The group’s spokesman, Aminu Lawal, expressed concerns about the alleged inconsistency in the nominee’s identity and raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the appointment process.
Lawal stated, “The Circle firmly believes that Zamfara State has competent professionals in tax administration who are fully capable of effectively managing the affairs of the service. It is imperative for the governor and the State House of Assembly to thoroughly investigate this matter and, if necessary, amend the nomination to avoid setting a detrimental precedent.”
The statement further emphasized the importance of upholding the laws of the state and called for transparent and inclusive processes in the governance of the state. It also urged the legislature to ensure that any new law or amendment to existing legislation undergoes public endorsement through a constitutionally mandated public hearing.
“The Circle believes that it is crucial for laws to follow due process and receive input from the public in order to gain the support of the people,” the statement added.
