Tinubu host Gov. Zulum, FIRS boss in Aso Rock

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held a series of important meetings at the State House in Abuja on Monday, including a private session with Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

This meeting followed the directive issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who ordered the sealing of a FIRS office in Abuja.

The closure was due to allegations that the agency failed to remit ground rent payments for over 25 years.

The sealing of the office sparked significant public reactions, leading to a prompt response from FIRS to address the concerns raised.

In a statement, 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 suggested 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, President Tinubu held separate consultations with key cabinet members, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

In another significant engagement, the President 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.