The Concerned Northern Elders Forum has rejected and disowned recent statements attributed to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on the activities of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), distancing itself from what it described as a misrepresentation of northern interests.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nasir Manguno, spokesperson of the forum, said the group was compelled to address Nigerians in the interest of truth and responsibility, warning that silence would amount to complicity in the face of what it described as deliberate distortion.
The group said the position credited to the NEF against the FIRS, its executive chairman and the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not reflect the collective conscience of northern elders and does not align with the region’s progressive expectations.
According to the statement, the NEF has lost moral authority and shifted from a platform of wisdom to one driven by political grievances and sponsored opposition narratives. It said elder statesmanship must be anchored on integrity, foresight and national interest.
The elders commended the performance of the executive chairman of the FIRS, noting the consistent overperformance of revenue targets under his leadership.
They cited strengthened non-oil revenue mobilisation, expanded use of technology and data-driven systems, and measures that blocked long-standing revenue leakages.
The group added that reforms within the agency have promoted fairness and accountability, ensuring that influence no longer guarantees exemption from taxation.
It said these outcomes are verifiable and demonstrate the impact of competence and efficiency in public institutions.
On the economy, the elders said President Tinubu inherited a system weakened by subsidy dependence, opacity and selective compliance, praising the administration for pursuing reforms described as difficult but necessary for national recovery.
The statement stressed that revenue reform is central to nation-building and not punitive, arguing that sustainable development cannot be achieved by shielding elites from responsibility while placing the burden of governance on the poor.
The group also expressed support for the memorandum of understanding signed by the FIRS leadership to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, harmonise data systems and eliminate duplication.
It said policies that promote transparency and institutional strength serve the interests of the North and the country.
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Addressing rising criticism of the FIRS, the elders said the timing coincides with political recalibration by opposition interests seeking to mobilise the North against reform, warning that the region would not allow itself to be used for partisan objectives.
The statement said the real priorities of the North remain job creation, infrastructure development, education and accountability, adding that achieving these goals requires strong institutions, fair taxation and decisive leadership.
The group reaffirmed its support for the executive chairman of the FIRS and President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, noting that history favours reformers committed to national interest over elite comfort.
