Group Faults Appointment Of Akpan As FIRS Chairman

Posted by: niyi on November 25, 2013
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The National Youth Peace and Empowerment Project (NAYOPET) has faulted Jonathan’s nomination of Mrs. Mfon Akpan as the new Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
According the group, by the president’s nomination, the South Eastern part of the country had not been fully integrated and given sense of belonging as Nigerians.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Mr. Emma Monye, the group noted that Akpan’s choice for the position contradicted equity, justice and sense of belonging of all ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Monye noted that this time, the South-east region of the country has very top contenders, who are qualified enough for the position of chairman of FIRS.
He lamented that the injustice against the Igbo people was on the increase, adding that since the establishment of FIRS no person of Igbo extraction has headed the country’s apex revenue agency.
According to him, the president cannot claim to be for all Nigerians particularly the Igbo, who gave him the highest number of votes in 2011, when he had deliberately decided to surchange them again.
“Why talk of equity, justice and sense of belonging when till 1998 all chairmen of FIRS came from South-west; 1998 to 2001 Alhaji Zukogi from Niger State, North central; from 2001-to 2004, Malam Bala Manu from Adamawa State, North East; from 2004 to 2012, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigu-Okauro from Edo State and from 2012 to date, Alhaji Kabir Mashi acting from Katsina, North-west. So, where is the South-east in this equation? South-east has top contenders this time, why South-south or North again? If we must put the pains of the civil war behind us as one Nigeria this is one of the times to show that Nigeria is fully integrated by giving south east the seat of FIRS. It is only just for south east to have the seat since from inception they are yet to be there,” Monye said.