The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has rejected a call by the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement for its chairman, Zacch Adedeji, to step aside for an investigation into his lifestyle. Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, criticized the group’s demand, stating that it failed to specify any wrongdoing by Adedeji.
Atoyebi described the call as a “sponsored campaign of calumny” aimed at undermining one of the most effective sectors of government. She argued that the FIRS under Adedeji’s leadership has made significant strides in revitalizing public revenue generation and reducing dependence on borrowing. The service has implemented reforms that have plugged revenue leakages and strengthened the country’s progressive tax system, resulting in surpassing revenue targets and improving staff welfare.
Atoyebi questioned the motives behind the group’s attack, noting that the FIRS has been a vibrant and working sector. She emphasized that any attack on the chairman is effectively an attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, given the central role of revenue mobilization in the government’s economic agenda.
The technical assistant called for an investigation into the motives of the Arewa group, urging security agencies to “urgently investigate those behind it as they qualify as enemies of state.” She stressed that Adedeji should be allowed to focus on completing his reforms without distractions, adding that those desiring to take over the service from him should wait for him to run his term.
The controversy surrounding Adedeji’s leadership has sparked concerns about the potential impact on the government’s economic plans. The FIRS plays a critical role in revenue mobilization, and any disruption to its operations could have far-reaching consequences. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the Arewa group’s call and what implications this may have for the country’s economic future.
The FIRS has made significant progress in recent years, and Adedeji’s leadership has been instrumental in driving these reforms. The service has implemented various initiatives aimed at improving tax compliance and reducing revenue leakages. These efforts have yielded positive results, with the FIRS surpassing its revenue targets and contributing significantly to the government’s coffers.
In the context of Nigeria’s economic challenges, the FIRS’s role in revenue mobilization is crucial. The government relies heavily on the service to generate revenue, which is used to fund critical public services and infrastructure projects. Any disruption to the FIRS’s operations could have severe consequences for the country’s economic development. As such, it is essential that the government takes a firm stance on the matter and ensures that the FIRS is allowed to operate without undue interference.
