72 CSOs praises FIRS boss, write Reps Speaker

Over 72 Civil Society Organizations, and others, Monday, came together to unanimously back the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji over allegations leveled against him by some groups at the weekend, saying all are false and out of hatred.

The CSOs in a joint press conference held in Abuja, the Convener of the coalition, Comrade Ibrahim Bello, National Coordinator, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI), said they are not surprised to see some Nigerians who does not mean well for the progress of Nigeria because of sentiments that are retrogressive to the growth and development of the economy.

Meanwhile, the coalition also disclosed of writing a strong worded letter to the Speaker of he House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, saying some members of the House are joining mischief makers to fight the efforts of President Bola Tinubu by supporting groups to falsely accuse the FIRS boss. The letter is containing facts about the impact Dr Zaach Adedeji has made since he was appointed. They said the Speaker should call members of the House to order instead of them to become clogs in the wheels of progress.

The CSOs including National Coordinator, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI); Hajiya Fatima Sani – Executive Director, Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barr. Chukwudi Eze – Chairman, Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke – President, Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo – General Secretary, Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF); Mr. Tunde Ogunleye – National Convener, Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms. Chioma Nwosu – Chairperson, Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf – National Secretary, Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM).

Others are, Engr. Musa Abdullahi – Director of Programmes, Due Process Advocacy Network (DPAN); Prof. Grace Adeyemi – Board Chair, National Alliance for Ethical Leadership (NAEL); Mr. Segun Olawale – Spokesperson, Citizens Coalition for Open Governance (CCOG); Barr. (Mrs.) Funmi Adewole – Legal Adviser, Justice and Accountability Project (JAP); Alhaji Usman Danladi – Northern Coordinator, Nigerian Integrity and Development Forum (NIDF); Rev. Fr. Joseph Okon – South-South Zonal Chairman, Public Funds Protection Movement (PFPM); Ms. Bolanle Adeoti – Women Leader, Transparency and Responsibility Advocates (TRA); Elder Peter Okonkwo – South-East Coordinator, Good Governance Monitors Assembly (GGMA); and Mallam Bello Yakubu – North-West Chairman, Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN), said the FIRS boss had carried out sweeping reforms that had made some of these people to be uncomfortable as it is no longer business as usual.

According to them, the reforms have boost revenue generation for the Federal Government, and also stabilized the economy.

Meanwhile, they said: “It is really unfortunate to hear and see some groups who have been paid to carry a cheap blackmail on the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji.

“This made us to call for this critical press conference because we cannot sit down and watch some handful of people to go to the media to disparage and cast aspersions on a dedicated and passionate Nigerian who have restored hope by deepening the revenue generation running into trillions of Naira, which had translated into development that are directly touching the lives of Nigerians.

“It is really uncalled for, for these paid groups who have sold their consciences for a pot of porridge to be blindfolded to raise unfounded allegations against the FIRS boss who has been doing his job according to the mandate of the FIRS.

“After our thorough investigation about the defaming statements by the groups, we discovered that they are sponsored to malign and speak evil of Dr Adedeji.

“We condemn the baseless allegations and falsehood to distract the FIRS boss. Nigerians know that all the tissues of lies put together are not credible but fabricated lies to perpetrate the bidding of their sponsors.

“We urge Nigerians not to believe the mischief makers who are out to truncate the gains made by the Adedeji-led FIRS rather should understand that the reforms by the FIRS are making impact, hence, the negative reactions in form of baseless allegations.

“This is the man who has instituted reforms in the tax system, plugged leakages and has awakened the country to how to generate funds to seamlessly run the economy. Truth is that 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.

“He has been meeting and surpassing targets set for him as the upper limit benchmark while at the same time enhancing the welfare of staff in a way that has boosted staff morale. He started the reformation that has changed the Inland revenue service and has crafted the new tax laws for the country which does not call for the vilification.”

The group also highlighted impacts and achievements by Adedeji-led FIRS after two years.

“Dr Zacch Adedeji is a man who has done amazingly well with his team of experts. We unequivocally state that the FIRS boss has been a man of integrity and vision whose innovative transformations have led to reforms never experienced in the nation’s revenue generation including the new tax laws passed into law by the National Assembly and assented by the President.

“It will be recalled that in 2024, he introduced four tax reform bills that were submitted to the National Assembly. These reforms include simplifying the tax system, reducing the tax burden on small businesses, and introducing a more fair and equitable tax system.

“Revenue increase: In 2024, FIRS exceeded its revenue target by 76%, collecting N21.6 trillion, compared to N12.37 trillion in 2023.

“Combating tax evasion: FIRS organized a conference to combat tax evasion and illicit financial flows, which cause a loss of $18 billion annually for Nigeria.

“Reduced tax burden: The new tax laws exempted individuals earning N800,000 or less per year from paying personal income tax.

“Improved efficiency: The introduction of the TaxProMax system and USSD code *829# simplified tax payment processes and made them more accessible.”