Why Fowler’s last minute lobby for tenure renewal was rebuffed

…I present myself for reappointment, writes SGF

The zero-hour spirited lobbying for a reappointment by one-term ex-Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Tunde Fowler, crashed like a pack of cards as the authorities snubbed him.

Persecondnews reports that prior to the announcement of his replacement on Monday, Fowler had written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha for tenure extension.

Dated 9th December, 2019 and addressed to the SGF, the letter was titled, “Re: Notification of Expiration of Tenure as Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service”.

Fowler’s tenure of four years ended on Dec. 9 but only renewable at the discretion of the appointor, the President.

The query from the Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, to Fowler may be one of the reasons for rejecting his application for a second term.

Kyari had queried the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over discrepancies in tax collections from 2015 to 2018.

According to a letter addressed to Fowler, Kyari stated that there were significant variances between budgeted FIRS collections and actual collections for Period 2015 to 2018.

He demanded a comprehensive variance analysis explaining the reasons for the discrepancies between budgeted and Actual collections for each main Tax item for each of the years 2015 to 2018.

The FIRS boss was also queried over actual collections for periods 2015 to 2017 as it was ‘Significantly Worse’ that what was collected between 2012 and 2014.

He was given a deadline of Aug. 19, 2019 to explain the reasons for the “poor collections.’’

Fowler’s letter with the opening paragraph, “I wish to present myself for reappointment for a second term”, may have entered the thrash can against the backdrop of the query which had the president’s approval.

It reads in part: “I write to notify the secretary of the federation that my first tenure as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) ends today 9th of December, 2019.

“In view of the above, I wish to present myself for reappointment for a second term.

“This is consistent with the 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 four years.

“Please find attached the highlight of my achievements during my first tenure in the office.’’

Fowler expressed gratitude to Mr. President for the opportunity given him to serve the nation and thanked the SGF for his support in the discharge of his duties.

While announcing Fowler’s replacement, the Senior Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, asked him to hand over to the most senior director in the organization foreclosing any “favourable consideration’’ of his reappointment.

Mr Mohammad Nami is the new Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and has a new board to work with subject to the Senate’s confirmation.

On Tuesday, Buhari had written to the Senate seeking approval of the appointment and the new board.

Fowler, until his appointment in 2015, was the Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Board and was reputed for raising the internally generated revenue of the state significantly.