The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has called on Nigerians to disregard what it described as a smear campaign against the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacchaeus Adedeji, following calls by a faceless group demanding that he “step aside.”
In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Secretary of the group, Comrade Olufemi Lawson, the CD described the allegation as baseless, malicious and politically sponsored, insisting that the group behind it does not represent the Arewa community, Nigerian youths or any credible constituency in the country.
According to the organisation, the campaign is being driven by economic saboteurs threatened by the transparency, efficiency and integrity introduced into Nigeria’s tax administration under Dr. Adedeji’s leadership.
The group said the reforms at the FIRS remain one of the most notable achievements of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the improved revenue integrity, modernisation of the tax system and enhanced public confidence recorded under Adedeji’s stewardship have strengthened the economy.
The CD maintained that many Nigerians support the ongoing reforms at the FIRS, noting that the work of Dr. Adedeji is critical to the successful repositioning of the nation’s economy and the drive toward financial stability and sustainable growth.
It urged the public to ignore what it termed a “reckless campaign of calumny” and to stand firm in support of the FIRS chairman, warning that vested interests benefiting from corruption and systemic decay are working to undermine Nigeria’s economic transformation.
While expressing its support, the group reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, stressing that it would continue to monitor the activities of all public office holders, including Dr. Adedeji, to ensure that Nigerians remain the ultimate beneficiaries of government policies.
It concluded by warning that Nigeria must not be dragged backward by desperate interests, insisting that the reforms must continue and that truth must prevail.
