72 Groups Tackle Critics Of Adedeji, Caution Reps’ Members

Over 72 civil society organisations and others have backed the tax reforms introduced by the chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji.

The asked groups making all manner of allegations against him to look for serious business to do instead of pursuing the personal interest of a few selfish Nigerians.

At 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 were not surprised by the activities of unpatriotic groups.

They said a strong-worded letter had been sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, to caution some members of the House who are working with mischief-makers, to derail the efforts of President Bola Tinubu by supporting groups that falsely accuse the FIRS boss.

Among the CSOs and their leaders are the 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); 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 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).

They said the FIRS boss had carried out sweeping reforms that had made his critics uncomfortable, “as it is no longer business as usual.”

According to them, the reforms have boosted revenue generation for the federal government and also stabilised the economy.

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

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

“After our thorough investigation into the defaming statements by the groups, we discovered that they are sponsored to malign Adedeji.

“We condemn the baseless allegations and falsehoods to distract the FIRS boss. Nigerians know that all the tissues of lies put together are not credible, but instead fabricated lies to perpetuate 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, but rather, understand that the reforms by the FIRS are making an impact, hence, the negative reactions in the 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 run the economy seamlessly. The 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 support 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 changed the Inland Revenue Service and crafted the new tax laws for the country, which do not call for the vilification.”