FIRS Condemns Arewa Youth Group Over ‘Baseless’ Call for Adedeji’s Suspension

•Alleges campaign sponsored, mischievous, attack on Nigeria’s economy

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has condemned the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement for calling on its Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, to step aside to be investigated over what it described as “ambiguous and spurious” allegations.

Reacting to the group’s demand, the Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, said the call was not only baseless but also amounted to an attack on the Nigerian economy given Adedeji’s track record of reforms and revenue performance.

In a statement titled “Arewa Consultative Movement: The Hand of Esau and the Voice of Jacob,” Atoyebi accused the youth group of working for unnamed interests bent on undermining the agency’s success and discrediting its leadership.

“Ordinarily, the campaign by the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement on an ambiguous, spurious and veiled allegation for which they are asking the FIRS Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, to step aside should be ignored. It can at best be described as economic sabotage given the sterling performance of the head of the Revenue Service of the country.”

Atoyebi argued the group failed to outline any offence or misconduct to justify its demand, describing their action as “one hiding behind a finger,” and a “sponsored campaign of calumny against a resourceful, cerebrally adroit man who is navigating Nigeria out of financial doldrums.”

She wondered why the group chose to attack what she described as one of the most vibrant and effective sectors of government – the revenue service – which has been instrumental in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on borrowing and building a fairer tax system.

“This is the man who has instituted reforms in the tax system, plugged leakages, and awakened the country to how to generate funds to seamlessly run the economy, an attack on Adedeji is an attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because the economic programme of this administration is receiving verve from the Revenue Service.”

According to her, Dr. Adedeji has consistently surpassed revenue targets and introduced reforms that have improved staff welfare, simplified tax compliance, and boosted investor confidence.

“He started the reformation that has changed the Inland Revenue Service and crafted new tax laws for the country – actions that should attract commendation, not vilification,” Atoyebi stated.

She further alleged that the campaign was being funded by individuals or groups eyeing Adedeji’s position and called on security agencies to investigate those behind it.

“The right question to ask is who is behind the Arewa Youth Movement and the funding of this campaign of calumny? Our security agencies should, as a matter of urgency, investigate those behind it, as they qualify as enemies of state,” she added.

Atoyebi noted that under Adedeji’s leadership, Nigeria’s fiscal position has improved significantly, with increased revenue generation and a reduction in pressure on external reserves.

“Nigeria is generating so much that the pressure on our external reserve has eased, leading to an increase to an all-time high of $45 billion, thereby building global confidence in doing business with Nigeria,” she said.

She urged Nigerians to disregard the group’s statement and continue to support the FIRS Chairman in his efforts to strengthen the nation’s fiscal stability.

“Patriotic Nigerians know who is working in government and those who are not. The movement goofed and should retrace their steps unless they are shamelessly queuing behind those eternally committed to stagnating the country.

“Dr. Adedeji has been superlative in performance and needs no distraction so he can concentrate and finish his good works,” she concluded.