• FG dismisses allegation

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government for what he described as a “quiet and dangerous” appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited as a new collecting agent under the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system.

In a strongly worded statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku called the decision a “state capture,” and alleged that the move represents an attempt to “nationalise the Alpha Beta model,” referring to the controversial revenue consultancy structure that operated in Lagos State during and after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as governor. He argued that the appointment mirrors a system that created “a private toll gate around public revenue” and funnelled state funds to politically connected interests.

The statement read, “The Federal Government must come clean with Nigerians. The quiet appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited as a new TSA collecting agent is not an administrative decision, it is a dangerous resurrection of the Alpha Beta revenue cartel that dominated Lagos State during and after the Tinubu years. That model created a private toll gate around public revenue and funnelled state funds into the hands of a politically connected monopoly.

“What we are witnessing now is the attempt to nationalise that same template, moving Nigeria from a republic to a private holding company controlled by a small circle of vested interests.

“To introduce such a policy in the middle of a national tragedy, while Nigerians are mourning loved ones lost to the deepening insecurity crisis, is not only insensitive, it is a deliberate act of governance by stealth. When a nation is grieving, leadership should show empathy and focus on securing lives, not on expanding private revenue pipelines.

“This latest move raises fundamental questions: Why was this appointment rushed and smuggled into the public space without consultation, stakeholder engagement, or National Assembly oversight? What value does Xpress Payments add that existing TSA channels do not already provide? Who truly benefits from this? Nigeria or an entrenched political network?

“This is not reform. This is state capture masquerading as digital innovation. Let me be clear: Nigeria does not need more middlemen between citizens and their government revenue. What we need is greater transparency, stronger institutions, and a tax system free from political capture. Appointment

“I therefore call for the following:

1. Immediate suspension of the Xpress Payments appointment pending a public inquiry;

2. Full disclosure of the contractual terms, beneficiaries, fee structures, and selection criteria;

3. A comprehensive audit of TSA operations to prevent the creeping privatisation of revenue collection;

4. A legal framework, not executive shortcuts, that prohibits the insertion of private proxies into core government revenue systems;

5. A national security priority shift, recognising that a country under assault cannot afford economic governance conducted in the shadows.”

Atiku concluded by stressing that public funds must not be treated as rewards for political loyalty, especially at a time when insecurity is putting communities under immense strain. He urged the government to abandon what he termed “Lagos-style revenue cartelisation” and instead uphold transparency, constitutional governance, and public accountability.

He stated, “Nigeria’s revenues are not political spoils. They are the lifeblood of our national survival, especially at a time when insecurity is tearing communities apart.

“The government must abandon this Lagos-style revenue cartelisation and return to the path of transparency, constitutionalism, and public accountability.”

Atiku’s claims on Xpress Payments are incorrect, misleading — FIRS

However, the FIRS has dismissed Atiku’s claims. In a statement signed by Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman, the agency clarified that no monopoly had been granted to any private entity. “The FIRS does not operate any exclusive or single-gateway revenue-collection arrangement, and no private entity has been granted a monopoly over government revenues,” the statement read.

The FIRS explained that Nigeria operates a multi-channel, multi-Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) framework, which includes Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact, Flutterwave, and Xpress Payments. “No private entity has been granted a monopoly over government revenues,” the statement emphasised.

The agency also clarified that PSSPs do not act as collection agents, do not earn a processing fee per payment, and have no access to government funds, which are remitted directly into the Federation Account.

According to the FIRS, the multi-channel framework is designed to improve efficiency, broaden options for taxpayers, enhance accountability, and promote innovation and employment within the financial technology sector.

“All PSSPs are admitted through a transparent, open, and verifiable procedure that ensures fairness and equal opportunity,” the statement said, stressing that ongoing tax reform aims to modernise Nigeria’s revenue system and must not be “dragged into partisan controversy.” (Pieced together from reports by AriseNews TV and Guardian)