Tinubu’s revenue reforms under attack, Arewa Think Tank raises alarm

The Arewa Think Tank has alleged a campaign to discredit the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, and undermine the revenue reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Convener of the group, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, made the allegation while reacting to online reports accusing Adedeji and the NRS of involvement in the alleged transfer of $279 million from the Frontier Exploration Fund to unnamed accounts.

Yakubu described the allegations as unsubstantiated and urged Nigerians to exercise caution before accepting claims circulated on social media as facts.

He said the controversy was part of what he described as a growing pattern of attacks against officials implementing reforms under the Tinubu administration.

“We are concerned about the growing pattern of sponsored allegations and sensational reports targeted at officials who are playing critical roles in the ongoing reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” he said.

Adedeji had earlier denied the allegations, describing the report as “pure fake news” sponsored by individuals seeking to tarnish his reputation and that of the NRS.

Yakubu said legitimate scrutiny of public officials was necessary but should be based on evidence, adding that any genuine concerns regarding public funds should be referred to the appropriate authorities for investigation.

He explained that the Frontier Exploration Fund was established under Section 9 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, to finance exploration activities in frontier basins, including the Bida, Benue Trough, Anambra, Chad, Sokoto and Dahomey Basins.

The Arewa Think Tank urged the NRS chairman to remain focused on his mandate, while calling on media organisations and online publishers to verify allegations involving public officials before publication.

“Nigeria needs constructive criticism, not character assassination. Scrutiny must be factual, fair and evidence-based,” Yakubu said.