Why Fowler failed to secure another term
A query the immediate past executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Babatunde Fowler received, and a number of petitions, actually worked against him few months ago. Subsequently, he was replaced last week.
(establishment) Act 2007. Many petitions against him A staff of the FIRS had told our reporter that there were so many petitions against Fowler. The staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he also saw the query issued by the Presidency.
“Though I cannot confirm its authenticity, I know very well that there are many petitions against Mr Fowler, written by both insiders and people watching happenings in the establishment from outside,” he said.
“There is heightened grumbling within the FIRS on staff welfare and entitlements. There is also disaffection about budgeted allowances for staff that were supposed to go on training, but only privileged few were allowed to go, over the years.
“Many of us have been listed for certain mandatory trainings over the years but were not granted permission to go. And most importantly, though many FIRS offices have been opened across the country, they are not operating optimally,” he said.
The 63-year old Fowler, who is a tax administrator, had served as the executive chairman, Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue.
A childhood friend and classmate of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Fowler was appointed by President Buhari on August 18, 2015. His appointment was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, December 9 of the same year.
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