Northern Elders back Tinubu reforms, praising his economic and revenue policies while rejecting claims they punish the poor or protect elites
The Concerned Northern Elders Forum on Thursday reaffirmed its strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing the measures as courageous steps toward national recovery.
Also read: APC Chairman Yilwatda Hails Tinubu’s Leadership, Party Growth
The forum, led by its chairman, Nasir Manguno, issued a statement in Abuja commending the administration for tackling an economy previously undermined by fuel subsidy dependency, secrecy, and selective compliance.
“The Tinubu administration inherited an economy weakened by subsidy dependency, secrecy, and selective compliance.
We commend the President for choosing courage over convenience by pursuing necessary reforms for national recovery,” the statement said.
The elders emphasised that the ongoing revenue reforms are critical for nation-building, dismissing assertions that the measures disproportionately burden the poor or favour elites.
They highlighted the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s consistent revenue over-performance, enhanced non-oil collections, and technology-driven strategies to plug fiscal leakages under the current Executive Chairman.
The forum also voiced support for the FIRS Memorandum of Understanding aimed at improving inter-agency collaboration, harmonising data, and enhancing efficiency in tax administration.
Dismissing criticisms as unrepresentative of Northern perspectives, the elders warned against politicising the FIRS, noting that opposition attempts to undermine reforms threaten national progress. “The North supports progress, not failure,” the statement added.
Also read: Tinubu’s Swift Benin Coup Response Sparks ADC Criticism
The declaration underscores the forum’s alignment with the Tinubu administration’s drive to strengthen public finances and implement structural economic reforms.
