A group known as the Zamfara Circle Community Initiative (ZCI) has submitted a petition to both the governor and the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly over an alleged breach of the Zamfara State Consolidated Revenue Law 2020 by nominating a non-indigene as the Executive Chairman of the Zamfara Internal Revenue Service (ZIRS).
ZCI, in its petition, affirmed that the nomination is in contravention of Section 4(1)(a)(ii) of the state's revenue law, which mandates that the chairman of ZIRS must be an indigene of the state.
According to the statement issued by the spokesman of the group, Aminu Lawal, investigations have uncovered that the nominee, Mrs. Rakiya Ibrahim Baba Gusau, an indigene of Katsina State, is also identified as Rakiya Ahmed Dodo in records available at the Federal Revenue Service, where she is presently employed.
This inconsistency raises concerns about the nominee altering almost her entire name to secure an appointment in Zamfara.
According to the statement: “The Circle firmly believes that our state boasts of qualified, competent, and experienced professionals in tax administration, capable of running the affairs of the service.
“Consequently, the Circle appeals to both the Governor and the State House of Assembly to thoroughly investigate this matter, provide clarification where necessary and consider amending the nomination to prevent the establishment of a detrimental precedent.
“We find it imperative to emphatically remind both the executive and legislature to always keep in mind that they are serving the public and that any law enacted should be respected and upheld in the business of governance.
“Furthermore, the Circle urges the legislature to ensure that any new law or amendment to existing legislation undergoes public endorsement through a constitutionally mandated public hearing.
“The Circle believes that a law that fails to follow due process by getting input from the public deserves to be rejected by members of the public.”
