Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
A civil society group, the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, has notified the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) of plans to embark on a second phase of peaceful protest over what it described as violations of statutory provisions in the appointment of Executive Directors into the agency.
In a letter dated March 2, 2026, and addressed to the NRS Chairman at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, the coalition alleged that five out of the six Executive Directors were appointed in breach of Part IV, Section 17(1) of the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
The group, led by its Convener, Comrade Amande M. Solomon, recalled that it had earlier staged a peaceful protest at the NRS headquarters on February 16, 2026, where it drew attention to what it termed “a grave breach of laid-down statutory procedure” in the appointments.
According to the coalition, the Act, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provides that the President shall appoint six Executive Directors, each representing a geopolitical zone on a rotational basis among states in the zone in alphabetical order, with the proviso that the Executive Chairman and an Executive Director must not come from the same state.
Citing a Certified True Copy of the Act released by the National Assembly, the group alleged that the appointments did not comply with the alphabetical rotation principle stipulated in the law.
It specifically claimed that Borno State was appointed to represent the North-East instead of Adamawa State; Niger State was named for the North-Central instead of Benue State; Kano State was selected for the North-West instead of Jigawa State; Imo State was appointed for the South-East instead of Abia State; and Lagos State was chosen for the South-West instead of Ekiti State.
The coalition argued that the alleged deviation from the statutory procedure had shortchanged some states and undermined fairness and equity.
“The deliberate and willful disregard of due process has resulted in certain states being favoured over others. This poses a serious threat to fairness, equity and national unity,” the letter stated.
The group maintained that its demand was for strict adherence to due process and the constitutionally approved procedures governing the appointments.
It expressed disappointment over what it described as the continued inaction of the NRS following its initial protest, alleging that the silence suggested a determination to sustain the perceived irregularities.
The coalition said it would proceed with a second phase of peaceful protest at the NRS headquarters on Monday, March 9, 2026.
It disclosed plans to mobilise at least 100 delegates from each of the five affected states, amounting to 500 protesters, who would converge on the headquarters with sleeping materials and cooking utensils and remain there until their demands are addressed.
The letter was copied to the Chief Security Officer of the NRS, the Department of State Services attached to the agency, and the Nigerian Police Force unit stationed at the headquarters.
As at press time, the NRS had yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
