NEF Stance on FIRS Disowned by Northern Elders, Tinubu’s Reforms Get Endorsement

In response to recent remarks about the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) that were ascribed to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the Concerned Northern Elders have distanced themselves, denouncing the position as unrepresentative of the goals and interests of the North.

The group said it felt obligated to address the country in the interest of truth and accountability in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Dr. Nasir Manguno. It warned that staying silent in the face of what it called intentional misrepresentation would amount to endorsement.

The elders contended that the NEF’s stated opposition to the FIRS, its Executive Chairman, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reform initiatives does not align with the common ideals and aspirations of Northern stakeholders.

They said that the NEF had lost its moral stature and had strayed from its original purpose as a council of wisdom to become a platform for political dissatisfaction and opposition narratives that were shaped by outside forces. The group contends that genuine elder statesmanship must be based on integrity, vision, and the welfare of the country rather than entitlement-driven privileges or adherence to antiquated systems.

The statement praised the FIRS Executive Chairman’s leadership, pointing out that the agency has continuously surpassed income targets, increased non-oil revenue production, and implemented technology-based, data-driven strategies to eliminate long-standing revenue leakages. It further stated that the period in which influence ensured exemption from tax duties has ended due to a renewed dedication to equity and accountability.

These improvements, according to the Concerned Northern Elders, are quantifiable and show Nigeria’s potential when professionalism replaces inertia. They assert that opposition to such reforms frequently originates from people who are uneasy about efficiency and transparency.

Regarding President Tinubu’s larger economic goal, the group claimed that the administration took over an economy that was weakened by reliance on fuel subsidies, opacity, and inconsistent compliance. It described the President’s adoption of challenging but necessary measures as crucial milestones toward a long-term economic recovery.

The elders emphasized that revenue reform should not be seen as punitive but rather as a fundamental component of national development, pointing out that no country advances by shielding elites from civic duty or placing the burden of governance on the poor.

Additionally, they affirmed their support for the Memorandum of Understanding carried out by the FIRS leadership to strengthen interagency collaboration, integrate data platforms, and eliminate duplication. They contended that frameworks that foster institutional strength and transparency ultimately benefit the North as well as the nation at large.

The organization addressed what they called “acts of political sabotage,” noting that fresh attacks on the FIRS seem to correspond with political realignments by opposition groups looking to capitalize on discontent in the region. The North will not be mobilized for partisan purposes, they cautioned.

The statement claims that rather than recycled narratives and inherited excuses for poor performance, the region’s true goals continue to be the creation of jobs, infrastructural development, educational advancement, and accountability. According to the elders, accomplishing these objectives calls for strong institutions, equitable taxation, and fearless leadership.

The group emphasized that history ultimately rewards reformers, not obstructionists, and reaffirmed its support for the FIRS Executive Chairman, President Tinubu’s economic reforms, and public officials dedicated to the national interest above the comfort of the privileged.

“The North is not against reform. The statement said, “It rejects failure and will not be dragged backward by voices financed to fear progress.”