Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government over the appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited as a new collecting agent for the Treasury Single Account (TSA), describing the move as a “dangerous resurrection” of a controversial revenue model used in Lagos State.
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku accused the administration of attempting to “nationalise” a system that allegedly entrenched monopolistic revenue collection structures linked to political interests.
According to him, the decision mirrors the operational template of the Alpha Beta consultancy arrangement in Lagos, which he said created “a private toll gate around public revenue” during and after the Tinubu administration in the state.
Atiku argued that quietly introducing such a policy at a time the country is reeling from heightened insecurity and nationwide grief demonstrates “insensitivity” and “governance by stealth.”
“When a nation is grieving, leadership should show empathy and focus on securing lives, not on expanding private revenue pipelines,” he said.
Raises Questions Over Transparency
The former Vice President queried the secrecy surrounding the appointment, insisting that the process lacked consultation, stakeholder engagement and National Assembly oversight.
He also questioned the value that Xpress Payments would add to the TSA system, noting that existing channels already serve the purpose.
“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?” he asked.
Atiku described the development as “state capture masquerading as digital innovation,” warning against inserting “middlemen between citizens and their government revenue.”
Demands Suspension and Investigation
To address what he called an emerging threat to public financial management, Atiku called for the immediate suspension of the appointment and demanded the following actions:
Suspension of Xpress Payments’ appointment pending a public inquiry;
Full disclosure of contractual terms, beneficiaries, fee structures and selection criteria;
Comprehensive audit of TSA operations to stop the creeping privatisation of revenue collection;
A legal framework that prohibits private proxies from being embedded in core government revenue systems;
A renewed national security focus, arguing that “a country under assault cannot afford economic governance conducted in the shadows.”
Calls for Accountability
Atiku emphasised that Nigeria’s revenues “are not political spoils” but the foundation of national survival, especially amid escalating insecurity.
He urged the Federal Government to reverse what he termed “Lagos-style revenue cartelisation” and recommit to transparency, constitutional governance and public accountability.
The Federal Government has not yet issued an official response to Atiku’s claims.
