Northern elders split into two groups over President Tinubu’s reforms

The Concerned Northern Elders Forum 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, warning 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, its executive chairman and Tinubu’s reforms does 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”.

They praised the performance of the executive chairman of the FIRS, citing consistent revenue over-performance and improved non-oil revenue mobilisation.

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

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 what they described as difficult but necessary reforms, adding that revenue reform is central to nation-building and not punitive.

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 reform for partisan interests, adding that 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.