In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, on Monday, the party described both actions as “reckless” and a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, economy, and national security.
The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has expressed strong opposition to the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the French Directorate Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFP), as well as the appointment of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited as a Treasury Single Account (TSA) collecting agent for the Federal Government.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Falalu Bello, on Monday, the party described both actions as “reckless” and a threat to Nigeria’s sovereignty, economy, and national security.
The PRP said the FIRS-DGFP MoU, which focuses on digital transformation and information exchange, amounted to outsourcing Nigeria’s tax data management to a foreign government.
“Despite the public statement by the FIRS defending the MoU, our concerns and objections regarding the agreement remain fully valid until the content of the MoU is made public,” the statement read.
“We believe such assurances do not mitigate the inherent risks of relinquishing control over Nigeria’s critical fiscal data to a foreign entity.
“Any nation that cedes control of its tax data to foreign entities risks becoming a puppet in the global financial system.”
According to the party, allowing a foreign power access to Nigeria’s tax data could expose the country to espionage, digital exploitation, and economic sabotage.
“Foreign-controlled digital systems open the door to mass surveillance, digital exploitation, and potential misuse of sensitive Nigerian data,” Bello said.
“They expose our citizens and institutions to espionage, digital colonization, and economic sabotage—threatening our national security and integrity.”
The PRP also warned that such arrangements could give external powers undue leverage in trade negotiations, investments, and loan agreements.
“Real-time visibility into Nigeria’s thriving sectors and struggling industries gives France, an external power, unwarranted leverage in future trade negotiations, investments, and loan agreements,” the party stated.
“No self-respecting nation should hand over its tax infrastructure to a foreign power, risking geopolitical blackmail and economic subjugation.”
Bello criticized the APC administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as retrogressive and neo-colonialist actions, saying, “We view the actions of the APC administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as both retrogressive and neo-colonialist, eroding the sovereignty of the Nigerian state and exposing the financial data of Nigerians and our companies to the worst of colonial powers that Africa has seen—France.”
“We vehemently oppose such a move,” the statement said.
The PRP urged that Nigeria’s tax reforms remain entirely under domestic control.
“Foreign entities must have no access to Nigerian tax data, financial transactions, or digital records. Homegrown institutions such as NIBSS, Flutterwave, PayStack, Interswitch, and others should be contracted to develop and manage our tax technology. All foreign-led proposals, including the FIRS-France MoU, must be terminated immediately,” Bello said.
The party also expressed concern over the appointment of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited as a TSA collecting agent.
The PRP compared it to the “dangerous model of the Alpha Beta revenue collection cartel of Lagos State at the national level” and raised questions regarding transparency and accountability.
“Firstly, what is wrong with the existing collection system, which has seen increased revenue collection in recent years? Secondly, who are the persons behind Xpress Payment Solutions Limited? Thirdly, what percentage of our revenue would Xpress collect for their services? And finally, was the appointment of Xpress Payment subjected to an open, competitive tender as required by rules and regulations governing government contracts?” the statement asked.
The PRP further called on the National Assembly to act before the new tax law commences operations in January 2026.
“The National Assembly, elected by the Nigerian people to protect them against abuses and excesses of the executive in a presidential system of government, must urgently pass the necessary data-sovereignty amendments before the new tax law commences operations. Tax data is the heartbeat of our economy; surrendering it to foreign control endangers our sovereignty and future,” the party said.
Bello also appealed to Nigerians and civil liberty organizations to resist what he described as dangerous precedents.
“We must reject any foreign intrusion into our financial systems and recommit to building a self-reliant, resilient economy that serves Nigerians first and foremost. We also must reject being short-changed in the name of revenue collection,” he said.