By David Torough, Abuja

A coalition of civil society activists on Monday staged the second phase of a peaceful protest at the headquarters of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) in Abuja, demanding the reversal of what they described as unlawful appointments of Executive Directors representing the country’s geopolitical zones.

The protest was led by the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC), whose convener, Amande Msughter Solomon, accused the NRS leadership of violating provisions of the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 in the appointment process.

Addressing journalists during the protest on March 9, Solomon said the coalition returned to the agency’s headquarters to press for the correction of what it called “erroneous and purported appointments” made in breach of the law.

According to him, the group had earlier raised the issue during the first phase of its protest on February 16, 2026, but alleged that the NRS had yet to respond or clarify the legality of the appointments.

The coalition argued that five out of the six Executive Director positions were filled in violation of Section 17(1) of the NRS Establishment Act, which stipulates that appointments must follow a rotational arrangement among states within each geopolitical zone in alphabetical order.

Under the group’s interpretation of the law, Solomon said the North-East position should have gone to Adamawa State rather than Borno State, while Benue State should represent the North-Central instead of Niger State.

He also argued that Jigawa State should represent the North-West rather than Kano State, Abia State instead of Imo State for the South-East, and Ekiti State rather than Lagos State for the South-West.

The Act further provides that the President appoints six Executive Directors for the service, each representing a geopolitical zone on a rotational basis among states in alphabetical order, with the additional requirement that the Executive Chairman and an Executive Director must not come from the same state.

Solomon urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, to correct the alleged irregularities and ensure strict compliance with the law.

He also criticized what he described as the agency’s silence on the matter, warning that it could undermine public confidence and create perceptions of unfairness among states.

The coalition said it would continue peaceful demonstrations at the NRS headquarters until the appointments are reviewed and due process is followed.

It also announced plans to petition relevant authorities to address the issue.

Solomon insisted that taxpayers’ funds should not be used to sustain appointments made outside the provisions of the law, stressing that the coalition would persist in its advocacy until its demands are met.

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday appealed to nations involved in the escalating Middle East conflict to recognise their moral responsibility to pursue peace, following airstrikes reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran.

According to Vatican News, the Pope made the call during his Angelus address on Sunday, where he expressed “deep concern” over recent developments in the region, particularly in Iran.

“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said.

The Pontiff warned that an uncontrolled escalation of violence could result in catastrophic consequences.

“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions. “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!,” he said.

Pope Leo XIV also prayed that diplomacy would regain prominence in resolving the crisis.

“May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice. And let us continue to pray for peace,” he said.

On Saturday, Israel and the United States reportedly began joint airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities, prompting retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting Israel and several Gulf countries hosting American military bases.

In a dramatic development, Iranian state-run news agencies later announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had ruled the country for nearly 37 years.

From Dan Amasingha, Minna

The Niger State Government has directed all political appointees and public office holders who intend to contest elective positions in the 2027 General Elections to resign their appointments on or before March 23, 2026.

The directive was issued by the Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Abubakar Usman, following the release of the revised timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the timetable released by INEC, elections for the President and members of the National Assembly will take place on January 16, 2027, while elections for State Governors and members of the State Houses of Assembly are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

The electoral body also announced that political parties will begin their primaries on April 23, 2026, as part of preparations for the nationwide polls.

Usman explained that the directive was necessary to ensure strict compliance with electoral laws and guidelines regulating participation in elective offices.

He noted that the law requires public office holders who intend to contest elections to resign their appointments at least one month before the commencement of party primaries.

The SSG therefore urged all affected political appointees and government officials in the state with political ambitions to submit their resignations before the stipulated deadline to avoid violating the rules guiding the electoral process.

“I am to draw the attention of all political appointees and other government officials who desire to contest for elective positions that the conduct of party primaries is expected to commence from April 23, 2026,” he said.

“In line with this development, all such appointees and officials are advised to resign their appointments by March 23, 2026, in order to meet the one-month requirement for resignation before seeking elective positions.”

Usman reiterated the state government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all political activities in the state strictly conform to constitutional and electoral provisions.

The directive was contained in a statement signed by Lawal Tanko, Coordinator of Press Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, on March 8, 2026.