Baseless attacks on FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji draw strong condemnation
Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji
The Southwest Unity Forum has strongly condemned what it calls a coordinated political witch-hunt targeting the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, describing calls for his removal as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by Hon. Matthew Oyedokun, PhD FNMGS, FNAH, Vice President of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) and Coordinator of the Southwest Unity Forum, the group asserted that the ongoing campaign against Dr. Adedeji is “a direct attack on Nigeria’s economic stability” and a ploy by those threatened by ongoing tax reforms.
“The sudden desperation to remove the FIRS Chairman at a time when reforms are gaining traction is not a coincidence — it is sabotage, pure and simple,” the Forum said.
The statement praised Dr. Adedeji for spearheading reforms that have strengthened enforcement, reduced leakages, expanded Nigeria’s non-oil tax base, and modernized operations at FIRS. It also noted that previous allegations against him by civil society organizations were later recanted, highlighting the baseless nature of such attacks.
Youth groups and civic organizations have reportedly described the campaign as a futile strategy by “faceless opportunists threatened by competent leadership.”
The Southwest Unity Forum urged the Federal Government to base accountability on verified evidence rather than media hype or politically motivated petitions. It warned that any attempt to remove Dr. Adedeji could undermine investor confidence and destabilize Nigeria’s economic progress.
“National development is not achieved by replacing reformers with puppets. Nigeria needs technocrats who can deliver results, not politicians who specialize in noise-making and blackmail,” Oyedokun emphasized.
The group reaffirmed its total confidence in Dr. Adedeji, describing him as a courageous reformist committed to Nigeria’s progress.
