CCNC protests ‘lopsided’ NRS Executive Director appointments, demands reversal

By Johnson Arua

The Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC) has called for the immediate reversal of what it described as “lopsided and unlawful” appointments of Executive Directors at the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), insisting the process violated provisions of the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

The group made the demand during the second phase of its peaceful protest at the NRS headquarters in Abuja.

Addressing journalists, Convener of the coalition, Comrade Amande Msughter Solomon, said the appointments of five out of the six Executive Directors did not comply with the legal framework guiding the composition of the Service’s leadership.

According to him, the appointments contravened Part IV, Section 17(1) of the NRS Establishment Act, 2025, which stipulates that Executive Directors representing each geopolitical zone must be appointed on a rotational basis among states within the zone in alphabetical order.

Solomon alleged that the current appointments ignored the prescribed order and instead favoured certain states over others.

He cited examples, noting that Adamawa State should represent the North-East rather than Borno State; Benue State should represent the North-Central instead of Niger State; while Jigawa State ought to represent the North-West instead of Kano State.

He also maintained that Abia State should represent the South-East rather than Imo State, and Ekiti State should represent the South-West instead of Lagos State.
Quoting the Act, Solomon said: “The President shall appoint six Executive Directors for the Service, each representing a geopolitical zone on a rotational basis among the states in the zone in alphabetical order, provided that the Executive Chairman and the Executive Director shall not come from the same state.”

He expressed concern that the NRS leadership under its Executive Chairman, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, had yet to address the concerns raised by the group since its initial protest on February 16, 2026.

The coalition said the continued silence from the Service could be interpreted as undermining the principles of fairness, due process and the rule of law.

“We see this silence as administrative sabotage against the good intentions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is widely believed to support fairness and adherence to the rule of law,” Solomon said.

He warned that the alleged breach of due process had unjustly shortchanged some states and could threaten national unity if not corrected.

The group stated that it had hoped the Service would retract the appointments and apologise to Nigerians and the affected states, but noted that the lack of response had compelled it to intensify its agitation.

Solomon stressed that the coalition would continue its peaceful protests at the NRS headquarters until the appointments are reviewed and the provisions of the law fully complied with. He also disclosed that the group would petition relevant authorities over the matter.

“We shall not relent in our peaceful agitation until our demands are addressed and the rule of law is restored in the interest of Nigerian taxpayers,” he said.