A storm of controversy has erupted over the fiscal claims made by the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) Chairman, Jerry Adams. We wish to respond to each claim and scrutinize the competence and qualifications of Jerry Adams, the taxation understanding of his boss, Uba Sani, and that of the accountant-General, whose appointment appears to be based on favouritism. This trio’s combination poses a significant danger to the state’s sustainability, financial stability, and transparency.
The crux of the matter lies in Adams’ recent press statements, which amount to nothing more than a walk of shame, organized with lies and ignorance of tax administration. Central to the dispute is the assertion that Governor Uba Sani’s administration is generating more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) than its predecessor, a claim vehemently contested and deemed a ‘textbook exercise in fiscal misrepresentation.
Competence and Qualification Under Scrutiny
The legitimacy of Adams’ appointment has been called into question, citing Section 13(b) of the relevant legislation, which mandates that the KADIRS chairman possess “cognate experience and skills”.
It is argued that Adams’ work background at Coca-Cola, coupled with his academic qualifications in business administration and sociology, does not meet the “cognate experience” requirement. This raises concerns about him not knowing the job and cant effectively drive the Kaduna’s revenue administration. Even his FCTI, FNIM, FCE, and CAN certifications are subject to conspiracy, which we will discuss at another time.
Contesting IGR Claims: A Battle of Figures
The heart of the dispute centres on the comparative IGR figures between the El-Rufai and Uba Sani administrations. Adams’ claims are built on the narrative of a “Showbiz Government” that prioritizes theatrics over good governance, where the governor plays the lead role in this act of deception while people like Jerry serve as supporting characters.
They claim that the government under Sani is generating more revenue than El-Rufai’s. However, the above historical and verified data paints a different picture.
Contrary to what Jerry might have heard about ₦4 billion, we don’t know if his cult-like Barrett (which we will also discuss in due time) is blocking his attentiveness, El-Rufai stated his revenue was between ₦6 and ₦7 billion. The truth is, it was higher.
By January 2023, when El-Rufai tax reforms from 2016 were fully Matured, El-rufai administration hit a record ₦10 billion in revenue. No other state in Northern Nigeria has achieved this. Therefore, Uba Sani’s government is currently generating less income.
Its vital to note that before El-Rufai’s tenure, Kaduna’s annual IGR stood at ₦11 billion, averaging ₦900 million per month. Under his leadership, IGR witnessed a staggering 436.36% growth, reaching ₦59 billion by 2022. This exponential increase is attributed to his structured tax reforms and fiscal discipline.
The current administration’s claim of achieving ₦71 billion in 2024—a mere 20.34% increase—is seen as underwhelming, especially considering the pre-existing automated revenue system, the Kaduna state 2020 tax law, synthesize tax payers which El-Rufai took years to enlightened inherited from El-Rufai. Critics argue that more than 50% of the 2023 fiscal year collection was generated during El-Rufai’s term, further diminishing the credibility of the current administration’s claims.
The continued accumulation of IGR—assuming the figures they claim for 2024 are correct (a topic for further discussion in our next response)—is not the result of Uba Sani’s or Jerry’s reforms. Neither possesses the understanding or expertise in tax administration.
Credit goes to El-Rufai and the KADIRS management team that served with him, whose combined years of experience laid the foundation for Kaduna’s record-breaking revenue growth.
Further more, in case Jerry or the governor don’t know the meaning of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) refers to the revenue that the state government generates from sources within its own territory, excluding only allocations from the Federal Account and grant.
Therefore, stating that El-Rufai included foreign exchange differentials, tax audit returns, and sales of non-essential assets as part of IGR is disgraceful shows acute knowledge gap, how can anyone that cant define IGR drive tax reforms.
A government that is reclassifying FAAC (Federal Account Allocation Committee) allocation and grant as IGR should not be the ones shouting. El-Rufai alleged that the ₦150 billion grant given by President Tinubu to Uba Sani was a political reward for Uba Sani’s “malicious” campaign to discredit El-Rufai’s legacy, despite Uba Sani having served in his administration. A money which we couldn’t find what was achieved with in the state.
Infrastructure and Service Delivery: The Missing Link
Their claims regarding the state of the KADIRS offices are both shocking and dishonest. The building currently occupied by Jerry Adams and his team was, in fact, a previously abandoned NITEL structure that was purchased, completed, and furnished by the El-Rufai administration. El-Rufai also provided the vehicles, including the official vehicle used by Jerry himself.
In the history of KADIRS, no one has reformed its infrastructure, policies, processes, and work tools as extensively as El-Rufai.
It is shameful that someone who was brought into the service to learn and be mentored so he could serve could so blatantly misrepresent the facts, seemingly in pursuit of empty promises made to secure the deputy governorship.
Furthermore, El-Rufai also provided motorcycles for dispatch riders and renovated all 30 tax offices across the state.
An Open Challenge for Public Debate
To clarify the intensifying controversy, the Kaduna Accountability Action Group has issued an open invitation to Jerry Adams, Bashir Zuntu (the Attorney General), or a designated Special Adviser to the government on tax or economic matters. We propose a public debate where they can present their facts and figures directly to the people of Kaduna, rather than relying on prepared press statements.
The government representatives should choose a platform and moderators they deem suitable.
This demand for transparency and accountability reflects the public’s right to understand the state’s financial situation. The citizens of Kaduna await clear answers that will illuminate the true state of their finances.
On the matter of tax transparency and verification, it’s important to note that El-Rufai did not publicize his figures as governor.
Instead, his figures were independently verified by reputable organizations such as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Deloitte. We are challenging Uba Sani’s administration to provide the same level of independent verification for their IGR claims.
Furthermore, we want to make it unequivocally clear that we are not going to be silent on these issues. These discussions will continue from now until the election, and beyond if necessary, until the people of Kaduna are given the truth and receive an apology for any misleading information.
This publication is sponsored by Kaduna Accountability and Action Group.
