President Bola Tinubu on Monday met behind closed-door with the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting came on the heels of a directive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ordering the sealing of a FIRS office in Abuja over alleged failure to remit ground rent for a period spanning 25 years.
The action, which sparked strong reactions, prompted a swift response from FIRS.
In a press release issued on Monday, the revenue agency described the closure as “malicious” and “unprofessional,” criticizing the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for what it deemed a heavy-handed approach to an intergovernmental issue.
While the presidency has not officially commented on the dispute, sources hinted that the meeting between President Tinubu and Dr. Adedeji was aimed at resolving the tension and ensuring smooth inter-agency cooperation in the interest of national revenue generation.
Also at the State House on Monday, the President held separate meetings with key cabinet members, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Walex Edun; his Solid Minerals Development counterpart, Mr Dele Alake; and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
President Tinubu later met with Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, as well as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye II.
Okoye recently announced the Commission’s ambitious target of transforming the South East into a $200 billion regional economy by 2035, aligning with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the broader vision of achieving a $1 trillion national GDP.
Deji Elumoye
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