A significant rift has emerged among northern Nigerian elders over the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and President Bola Tinubu's economic policies. The Concerned Northern Elders Forum (CNEF) has publicly disowned and sharply criticised a recent position taken by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).
CNEF Condemns NEF's Stance as a Misrepresentation
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, and signed by Dr. Nasir Manguno, the CNEF stated it was compelled to speak out in the interest of truth and historical accountability. The group described the NEF's criticism of the FIRS and its Executive Chairman as a calculated distortion that does not reflect the collective conscience of Northern elders.
The CNEF accused the NEF of losing its moral authority, transforming from a forum of wisdom into a platform for political grievances and sponsored opposition narratives. They argued that true elder statesmanship must be rooted in integrity, foresight, and national interest, not nostalgia for failed systems.
Praise for FIRS Performance and Tinubu's Reforms
The statement offered strong support for the current leadership of the FIRS. It highlighted that under the Executive Chairman, the agency has consistently exceeded revenue targets, strengthened non-oil revenue collection, and used technology to block historic financial leakages.
The emphasis on fairness and accountability has ensured that influence no longer guarantees tax exemption, the elders noted. They described these verifiable achievements as proof of what Nigeria can accomplish when competence replaces complacency.
On President Tinubu's broader economic reforms, the CNEF acknowledged the administration inherited an economy weakened by subsidy dependency and secrecy. They commended the President for choosing courage over convenience by pursuing difficult but necessary reforms for national recovery. The group stressed that revenue reform is central to nation-building and that no country develops by shielding elites from responsibility.
Warning Against Political Sabotage and a Call for Progress
The CNEF framed the renewed criticism of the FIRS as part of a political recalibration by opposition interests seeking to weaponise the North against reform. They issued a clear warning that the region would not allow itself to be used for partisan objectives.
The forum outlined the true priorities of the North as job creation, infrastructure development, education, and accountability—goals they say require strong institutions, fair taxation, and fearless leadership. They expressed full support for the FIRS's inter-agency collaboration efforts to harmonise data and eliminate duplication.
Concluding their statement, the CNEF reaffirmed support for the FIRS Chairman and President Tinubu's reform agenda, siding with public servants committed to the national interest. "The North is not against reform. The North is against failure, and it will not be dragged backward by voices sponsored to fear progress," the statement declared.
