N11bn FIRS funds were commitments, not debt, says Nami

N11bn FIRS funds were commitments, not debt, says Nami

By Mohammed Umar

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Niger State, Alhaji Mohammed Mamman Nami, has dismissed allegations surrounding N11 billion allegedly linked to his tenure as Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), describing the amount as commitments contained in his handover note and not money diverted or misappropriated.

Nami, who spoke in an interview with newsmen in Minna, said the N11 billion represented approved commitments, including payments for consultants who trained FIRS staff and expenses for staff training within Nigeria and abroad, as well as funds approved for a presidential committee involved in tax reforms.

According to him, there is a clear distinction between a liability and a commitment in public financial management.

“Liability is something you have already done and the debt you already owe because you have awarded a contract and the contract has been executed.

“Commitment, on the other hand, is an approval you have given for something important which you do not want your successor to abandon.

“The approvals I gave, including the money released to the presidential committee that carried out reforms on tax, amounted to the N11 billion. The money was captured in my handover note,” he said.

Nami said the allegation surfaced on Sept. 28, 2023, while he was in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, adding that he immediately assured those who contacted him that there was no cause for alarm.

He explained that preparing a comprehensive handover note was part of his responsibility as FIRS chairman, particularly to inform his successor of outstanding commitments and liabilities.

The former FIRS chairman said he subsequently responded to the allegations and that his response was published by TheCable and reproduced by several newspapers.

Nami said that when he assumed office at FIRS, he inherited only about N1.4 billion in the agency’s account and over N30 billion in inherited debts, which he claimed were subsequently settled.

He further claimed that at the end of his tenure, he left about N129 billion in the FIRS account, alongside the N11 billion in commitments contained in his handover documents.

He regretted that while the initial allegations received wide publicity, some reports did not adequately reflect his response and explanation.

“If I had stolen anybody’s money, today my opponents would have reported me and the government would not have allowed me to go free without arresting me. So, it was blackmail from enemies,” he said.

On allegations or questions concerning employment opportunities during his tenure at FIRS, Nami said he did not consider it necessary to publicise the assistance he rendered to people.

“I help people for the sake of Allah. There is no point discussing it,” he said.

He, however, said that many people were recruited during his tenure and had since become self-reliant.

Nami, who disclosed that his private company, Manan Professional Services, currently has about 250 employees, said his involvement in supporting people was motivated by his desire to help them become productive.

Nami explained that the primary responsibility of FIRS was revenue generation and not the execution of government infrastructure projects.

According to him, revenue generated by FIRS was remitted to the appropriate authorities for distribution to federal and state governments for the execution of projects.

He said that, nevertheless, he introduced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives during his tenure because he believed that FIRS should also contribute to the development of communities.

Nami said the initiatives resulted in the construction of hospitals and a school in Nami, Agaie Local Government Area, his hometown.

He added that other senior FIRS officials also supported development projects in their communities, citing the construction of a hospital and road project by the Coordinating Director, North Central, in his hometown of Takuti, Niger State.

According to him, similar CSR interventions were undertaken in other parts of the country during his tenure.

The PDP candidate also said his administration at FIRS intervened in some critical road projects in Niger State despite the fact that road construction was not the agency’s statutory responsibility.

He cited portions of the Minna-Paiko-Suleja road and the reconstruction of the Lambata-Lapai-Agaie road as examples.

“You see that from Minna to Paiko on Suleja road is bad, but there were portions that were repaired. We did the repair.

“We also reconstructed Lambata to Lapai to Agaie road. Unfortunately, the work was progressing when I was removed from office and the project stopped. We did our best as FIRS boss,” he said.

Nami, who was born in Nami village, Agaie Local Government Area, said his decision to contest the 2027 governorship election followed consultations with traditional rulers, his mother and other stakeholders who urged him to return to the political arena after the 2023 senatorial primary.

He said he had initially intended to contest the governorship election but was advised by traditional rulers and his mother to support Gov. Mohammed Umaru Bago’s continuation while he sought the Senate seat.

He said the outcome of the senatorial primary, which he described as manipulated, changed his political calculations.

According to him, after the senatorial primary, he planned to return to school for a one-year course, but concerned Niger residents and stakeholders approached him and urged him to return to the traditional rulers and explain the challenges facing the state.

Nami said his subsequent consultations convinced him that there was a need to refocus attention on the state’s development challenges.
He identified insecurity, poor road infrastructure and the inability of farmers to fully utilise Niger’s vast agricultural land as major challenges confronting the state.

“If you look from Bida to Mokwa to Jebba and back to Borgu, Kontagora, Shiroro and Suleja, there is vast land that people want to cultivate, but insecurity does not allow that. We don’t also have good roads.

“So, there is a need to have a focus in Niger State. We have come to save Niger State,” he said.
Nami said he joined the PDP because he did not purchase the APC governorship ticket.

No campaign flag-off yet
The PDP governorship candidate clarified that he had not conducted any formal campaign flag-off ahead of the 2027 election.

He said his most recent major gathering was a thank-you meeting with party officials and supporters.

Nami, who has described himself as a candidate committed to transforming Niger State, said his administration, if elected, would prioritise the welfare and development of the people.

He promised to build and improve schools and hospitals, intensify the fight against insecurity, support farmers and improve road infrastructure across the state.

He said his objective was to provide leadership that would serve the collective interest of Niger residents rather than narrow political interests.

Background
Nami was born in Nami village, Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State. He attended Government Secondary School, Suleja, Bayero University, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Harvard University in the United States.

He established Manan Professional Services and later served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, where he said he was involved in investigations and recovery of stolen funds before his appointment as Executive Chairman of FIRS.

After leaving FIRS, Nami said he returned to his private business before subsequently joining the 2027 governorship race on the platform of the PDP.

The former FIRS chairman said his governorship bid was driven by the desire to contribute to the transformation of Niger State and address its infrastructure, security, agricultural and human-capital challenges.