Concerned northern elders reject NEF stance on FIRS, back Tinubu’s reforms

The Concerned Northern Elders Forum (CENEF) has disowned recent statements attributed to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Nasir Manguno, the group said the NEF position does not reflect the true aspirations of the north.

The elders said they were compelled to speak in the interest of truth, responsibility and historical accountability, and warned that remaining silent in the face of what they described as distortion would amount to complicity.

The group said the NEF’s stance against the FIRS, Zaach Adedeji, its executive chairman, and Tinubu’s reforms do not represent the collective conscience of northern elders.

They accused the NEF of losing moral authority and becoming “a platform for political grievances and sponsored opposition narratives”.

The elders said leadership and elder statesmanship must be guided by integrity, foresight and national interest.

They praised the performance of the FIRS chairman, citing consistent revenue over-performance and improved non-oil revenue mobilisation, noting that the use of technology and data-driven strategies has blocked historic leakages.

They said the renewed emphasis on accountability has ensured that influence no longer guarantees exemption from taxation.

The elders said opposition to the reforms is driven by those unsettled by efficiency and transparency.

On Tinubu’s economic agenda, the group said the administration inherited an economy weakened by subsidy dependence, secrecy and selective compliance.

They commended the president for choosing “difficult but necessary reforms”.

The elders said revenue reform is central to nation-building and not punitive, adding that no country develops by shielding elites from responsibility while burdening the poor.

The group expressed support for the memorandum of understanding signed by FIRS to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and data harmonisation.

They warned against attempts to weaponise the north against reforms for partisan interests.

The elders said the priorities of the region remain job creation, infrastructure development, education and accountability.

“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.