Northern Elders Group Supports Tinubu’s Reform Agenda, Dismisses NEF View on FIRS

The Northern Elders Forum’s (NEF) recent remarks on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have been rejected by the Concerned Northern Elders as not reflecting the interests and goals 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 cautioned that staying silent in the face of what it described as intentional misrepresentation would amount to endorsement.

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

They claimed that the NEF had lost its moral standing and that it had strayed from its original purpose as a council of wisdom to become a forum for alternative narratives and political unrest. 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 devotion to antiquated systems.

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

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

Regarding President Tinubu’s wider economic plan, the group claimed that the administration took over an economy that was weakened by reliance on fuel subsidies, opacity, and inconsistent compliance. It commended the President for adopting challenging but needed changes, characterizing them as crucial measures for 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 growth, pointing out that no country advances by shielding elites from civic duty or placing the burden of governance on the underprivileged.

Additionally, they expressed support for the Memorandum of Understanding carried out by the FIRS leadership in order to strengthen interagency cooperation, integrate data platforms, and minimize duplication. They contended that frameworks that foster institutional strength and transparency ultimately benefit both the North and 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 take advantage of emotion in the region. They cautioned against mobilizing the North for partisan purposes.

The statement claims that rather than rehashed narratives and inherited explanations for poor performance, the region’s true goals continue to be job creation, infrastructure development, educational advancement, and accountability. According to the elders, strong institutions, equitable taxation, and fearless leadership are necessary to accomplish these objectives.

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 national interest above elite comfort.

Reform is not opposed by the North. The manifesto proclaimed, “It rejects failure and will not be pulled backward by voices financed to fear progress.”