FIRS: Presidency Source Reveals Where Fowler Went Wrong

Facts have emerged as to why President Muhammadu Buhari did not reappoint the immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler.

The presidency had on Monday, December 9, announced that President Buhari had replaced Fowler with Muhammad Nami as the new chairman of the FIRS.

But contrary to insinuations that Fowler’s replacement was an indirect attack on the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who is a childhood friend and former classmate of Fowler, the erstwhile FIRS Chairman was said to have failed to take the necessary steps to secure his reappointment.

A Presidency source who spoke to THE WHISTLER on the condition of anonymity, said Fowler did not indicate his interest for tenure renewal early enough to give the president an opportunity to consider him for a second term.

The source said, “You don’t wait till the last day to ask for renewal. More so if there is need for Senate confirmation, you do that 3 months ahead.”

The source was reacting to THE WHISTLER’s request for comment regarding a memo in circulation on social media, which indicated that Fowler made efforts to get the president to reappoint him.

The memo read in part: “I write to notify the Secretary to the Government of the Federation that my first tenure as the Executive Chairman of the FIRS ends today, December 9, 2019.

“In view of the above, I wish to present myself for re-appointment for a second term. This is consistent with provisions of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007 and would grant me the opportunity to consolidate and build on the achievements we have recorded in the past four years.

“Please find attached the highlight of my achievements during my first tenure in office. I would like to put on record my gratitude to Mr. President for the opportunity to serve the nation. I am also thankful for your support in the course of the discharge of my duties.”

But the presidency source noted that Fowler’s memo was dated December 9, 2019, being the same day he was replaced as chairman of the revenue collection agency.

Besides writing his memo late, the source also faulted Fowler for addressing his memo to the Secretary to the Government Federation (SGF) instead of the Minister of Finance.

Meanwhile, President Buhari had written the Senate on Tuesday to seek the confirmation of  Muhammadu Nami as the new chairman of the FIRS.

Buhari’s letter, which was read during Tuesday’s plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, also sought the confirmation of 12 new board members of the agency.

The president said his request is pursuant to Section 3(2) of the FederaI Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2007.