A non governmental organisation in Akwa Ibom State, Open Forum, has appealed to the Federal Government to put on hold the implementation of the tax reform laws pending the outcome of ongoing investigations by the National Assembly.
The Federal Government has insisted that the laws will come into effect on January 1, 2026 even as the National Assembly has begun the process of re-authenticating the legislations amid legitimacy concerns.
Open Forum in a statement endorsed by its Convener, Citizen Mathew Kofi Okono in Uyo on Tuesday, noted that the policy should be suspended indefinitely until all grey areas are resolved and the “people assured of a tax policy devoid of anti-people and hidden agendas”.
Okono said following the views of an economic expert, Prof Akpan Ekpo who appeared in one of his radio programmes, it became necessary for Federal Government to allow time for adequate investigations and implementation of necessary punishment on those involved, if found to be true.
He said, “Prof Akpan Ekpo has added his voice by describing the reported act as highly embarrassing and deserving of immediate investigation. This therefore, in addition to the unacceptable Nigeria – France Tax implication tango without NASS approval makes it impossible to commence implementation of the policy on January 1, 2026.
“Open Forum agrees with these thought leaders. We hereby call on the National Assembly that had set-up a committee to investigate the reported forgery of the tax provisions and submit its report as soon as practicable. We also encourage the civil society community and professional bodies to conduct their independent investigations to unravel the truth on the controversies surrounding the tax law.”
The group also called on President Bola Tinubu to look at the need for more pressing reforms such as war against Nigerian factor of corruption and impunity, Electoral/political reforms, and restructuring of the country for the practice of true federalism, instead of renewed strengthening of the unitary system as though Nigeria is a unitary state.
It also called on Akwa Ibom State government to implement the State post-COVID-19 Economic Reconstruction Plan by Prof Akpan H. Ekpo-led think-tank abandoned since the former administration.
On the reported attempt by state government to sale its power company, Ibom Power Company, IPC, to private interests over inefficiencies, the group urged the state government to rather work towards repositioning the company.
“Recently, His Excellency, Arc Obong Victor Attah in a statement warned against the possible sale of the company to private interests. Prof Akpan Ekpo, the man who superintended over the establishment of the company has decried the current state of the company and called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to invite the original hands that set-up the company to help rescue and reposition it to ensure a 24/7 power supply to the State as there can be no true economic development without steady electricity supply.
“The State Electricity Act and power summit held in 2025 do not appear to have added value to the state government’s effort to reposition Ibom Power Company,” the statement added.
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