₦airaland Forum

The Concerned Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has disowned and sharply criticised recent statements credited to the Northern Elders Forum over the activities of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), describing the position as a misrepresentation of the true aspirations of the North.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Dr Nasir Manguno, the group said it was compelled to address Nigerians in the interest of truth, responsibility and historical accountability, warning that silence in the face of what it described as calculated distortion would amount to complicity.

The elders stated that the so-called position of the NEF against the FIRS, its Executive Chairman and the economic reform agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu neither reflects the collective conscience of Northern elders nor aligns with the progressive expectations of the region.

According to the group, the NEF has lost its moral authority and has gradually transformed from a forum of wisdom into what it described as a platform for political grievances and sponsored opposition narratives. The elders insisted that leadership and elder statesmanship must be rooted in integrity, foresight and national interest, not nostalgia for failed systems or entitlement to privilege.

The statement praised the performance of the current Executive Chairman of the FIRS, noting that under his leadership, the agency has recorded consistent over-performance of revenue targets, strengthened non-oil revenue mobilisation and deployed technology and data-driven strategies to block historic leakages. It added that the renewed emphasis on fairness and accountability has ensured that influence no longer guarantees exemption from taxation.

The Concerned Northern Elders stressed that these achievements are verifiable and represent what Nigeria can accomplish when competence replaces complacency, arguing that opposition to such reforms is driven by those unsettled by efficiency and transparency.

On the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, the group said the administration inherited an economy weakened by subsidy dependency, secrecy and selective compliance. It commended the President for choosing courage over convenience by pursuing reforms it described as difficult but necessary for national recovery.

The elders maintained that revenue reform is not punitive but central to nation-building, insisting that no country develops by shielding elites from responsibility or placing the burden of governance solely on the poor.

The group also expressed full support for the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the FIRS leadership to strengthen inter-agency collaboration, harmonise data systems and eliminate duplication. It argued that any policy framework that promotes transparency, strengthens institutions and enhances revenue efficiency is in the best interest of the North and Nigeria at large.

Addressing what it termed the politics of sabotage, the elders said the renewed criticism of FIRS coincided with political recalibration by opposition interests seeking to weaponise the North against reform. They warned that the region would not allow itself to be used for partisan objectives.

The statement emphasised that the true priorities of the North include job creation, infrastructure development, education and accountability, rather than recycled rhetoric and inherited excuses. According to the elders, these aspirations require strong institutions, fair taxation and fearless leadership.[b]

The group concluded by reaffirming its support for the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda and public servants committed to national interest over elite comfort, stressing that history favours reformers and not obstructionists.

[b]“The North is not against reform. The North is against failure, and it will not be dragged backward by voices sponsored to fear progress,” the statement said.

Gotocourt:
Jagaban dollars at work

Salewa97:
The northern elders have spoken.

The Obidients should stop dragging the northerners into their unproductive protest. The northerners are not interested in the protest.

Salewa97:
The northern elders have spoken.

The Obidients should stop dragging the northerners into their unproductive protest. The northerners are not interested in the protest.

AMINDA:
Exactly. The Tinubu playback. Create another faction. He did it with Afenifere, all political parties in the country and is now doing it with the NEF. It won't save him come 2027. This is where all the borrowed loans and record revenues are being channelled to why we struggle to implement 2024 budget in 2026.

Salewa97:
The northern elders have spoken.

The Obidients should stop dragging the northerners into their unproductive protest. The northerners are not interested in the protest.

Buhari4dullard:
whenever it does not favor parasites, they complain

lilsmart:
The Concerned Northern Elders Forum (NEF) should post the list of their members and occupation. Also post all your society and community contributions.

And also tell what are you goals and how they contribut to the development of the National

AMINDA:
Exactly. The Tinubu playback. Create another faction. He did it with Afenifere, all political parties in the country and is now doing it with the NEF. It won't save him come 2027. This is where all the borrowed loans and record revenues are being channelled towards while we struggle to implement 2024 budget in 2026.

Gotocourt:
Jagaban dollars at work

reddingtonblack:
weytin be concern Elder abi atenu Elders, sycophancy just after there pocket .... whether you accept it or not fact is fact

as at yesterday shebi we had some Nigerian Defending Farouk, so anybody can talk

ibechris:
The way Tinubus propaganda is working eeh.

Anyone who criticise him,they will change the next day saying,another elder rebuke it.

The other day,Kwankwaso said Tinubu is only developing south West Region and cared less of other regions.

The next day,they carried their propaganda saying the youths coalition in Kanu were strongly against Kwankwaso for coming against the president.

This govt is what I call iberiberism

stuffs2002:
And who are you to make such orders

ibechris:
The way Tinubus propaganda is working eeh.

Anyone who criticise him,they will change the next day saying,another elder rebuke it.

The other day,Kwankwaso said Tinubu is only developing south West Region and cared less of other regions.

The next day,they carried their propaganda saying the youths coalition in Kanu were strongly against Kwankwaso for coming against the president.

This govt is what I call iberiberism

stuffs2002:
Who is stopping you from going to collect yours since you claim it is about money.


As far as you lots are concerned anyone not supporting your bias against the government has been paid

AMINDA:
Exactly. The Tinubu playback. Create another faction. He did it with Afenifere, all political parties in the country and is now doing it with the NEF. It won't save him come 2027. This is where all the borrowed loans and record revenues are being channelled towards while we struggle to implement 2024 budget in 2026.