Questions raised over motive behind campaign against FIRS boss

A fresh controversy has followed a call by the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement asking the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, to step aside while an investigation is conducted into what the group described as concerns about his “lifestyle.” The request has drawn strong pushback from officials close to the FIRS […]

A fresh controversy has followed a call by the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement asking the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, to step aside while an investigation is conducted into what the group described as concerns about his “lifestyle.”

The request has drawn strong pushback from officials close to the FIRS chief, with critics dismissing the group’s statement as vague and lacking specific allegations.

In a response, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, said the organisation’s demand did not identify any misconduct by Adedeji.

She described the call as an attempt to discredit the FIRS under his leadership.

According to her, the group’s statement amounted to “a sponsored campaign of calumny against a resourceful, cerebrally adroit man who is navigating Nigeria out of financial doldrums.”

Atoyebi questioned the timing and motivation of the call, noting that the FIRS under Adedeji has intensified revenue-generation efforts and strengthened tax administration.

She highlighted reforms credited to the FIRS Chairman, including steps to curb leakages, modernise tax processes and improve the country’s revenue outlook. “This is the man who has instituted reforms in the tax system and awakened the country to how to generate funds to seamlessly run the economy,” she said.

Atoyebi argued that any attempt to undermine the FIRS leadership risked derailing the government’s broader economic objectives given the central role of domestic revenue mobilisation.

She also referenced internal achievements within the service, including improved staff welfare, which she said had contributed to better performance outcomes. She further cited an improvement in external reserves—claiming they had risen significantly—while attributing part of the increase to strengthened revenue collection.

Calling for scrutiny of the group’s motives, Atoyebi urged security agencies to “urgently investigate those behind it.” She added that Adedeji should be allowed to continue implementing reforms without distractions, saying, “Those desiring to take over the service from him should wait for him to run his term.”

The Arewa Consultative Youth Movement has not yet responded to the pushback generated by its call.