Atiku Abubakar has accused Bola Tinubu of quietly installing a new revenue cartel at the heart of federal finances following the appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited as a Treasury Single Account collecting agent.
Atiku said the move represents “a dangerous resurrection of the Alpha Beta revenue cartel that dominated Lagos State during and after the Tinubu years”, warning that the government is attempting to “nationalise that same template”, which he said turns the country into “a private holding company controlled by a small circle of vested interests”.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service responded by dismissing Atiku’s claims as inaccurate and politically motivated, insisting that the appointment of Xpress Payments is part of a “multi-channel” system that already includes Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact and Flutterwave.
In a lengthy statement posted on his official X account, Atiku revealed the appointment was made “quietly” and without consultation, oversight, or transparency, describing it as “governance by stealth” at a time when Nigerians are grieving deepening insecurity nationwide.
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He said the Lagos model, which he described as “a private toll gate around public revenue”, is now being replicated on a national scale through a company he implied is tied to entrenched political interests.
He questioned the urgency and secrecy of the move and demanded clarity on why Xpress Payments was elevated, asking, “What value does Xpress Payments add that existing TSA channels do not already provide?”
He also asked, “Who truly benefits from this? Nigeria or an entrenched political network?”
The former vice president argued that Nigerians need transparency and stronger institutions, not more intermediaries between citizens and the state, warning that the development is “state capture masquerading as digital innovation.”
He listed five immediate actions he expects the government to take, including suspending the appointment, disclosing the terms of the deal, and conducting a full audit of TSA operations to stop the “creeping privatisation of revenue collection”.
The FIRS, in its rebuttal, said its appointment of Xpress Payments is neither exclusive nor monopolistic and stressed that “PSSPs are not collection agents and do not earn a processing fee per payment, nor a percentage of revenues.”
The agency maintained that all funds collected through its digital channels go directly into the Federation Account without private access or diversion, insisting that the expanded framework improves accountability and strengthens digital tax administration.
Atiku argued that leadership should prioritise empathy and security, not “expanding private revenue pipelines” while the nation mourns victims of unending violence.
He concluded that “Nigeria does not need more middlemen between citizens and their government revenue” and urged the government to abandon what he called “Lagos-style revenue cartelisation” in favour of transparency and constitutional governance.
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