A non-governmental organisation, Open Forum, based in Akwa Ibom State, has urged the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of tax reform laws until the National Assembly completes its investigation into the legitimacy of the legislations. The Federal Government has announced that the laws will take effect on January 1, 2026, despite concerns over their authenticity.
The National Assembly has initiated a re-authentication process, and Open Forum is calling for the policy to be put on hold until all grey areas are resolved. According to the organisation’s Convener, Citizen Mathew Kofi Okono, the government should ensure that the tax policy is free from “anti-people and hidden agendas”. Okono’s statement was endorsed in Uyo on Tuesday, citing the views of economic expert Prof Akpan Ekpo, who described the reported forgery of tax provisions as “highly embarrassing” and deserving of immediate investigation.
Open Forum agrees with Prof Ekpo’s assessment and is urging the National Assembly to expedite its investigation and submit its report as soon as possible. The organisation is also encouraging civil society groups and professional bodies to conduct independent investigations into the controversy surrounding the tax law. Furthermore, Open Forum is calling on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise more pressing reforms, such as tackling corruption and impunity, electoral and political reforms, and restructuring the country to practice true federalism.
In a related development, Open Forum is urging the Akwa Ibom State government to implement the State post-COVID-19 Economic Reconstruction Plan, which was developed by a think-tank led by Prof Akpan H. Ekpo. The plan has been abandoned since the previous administration. The organisation is also warning against the possible sale of the state-owned Ibom Power Company to private interests, citing inefficiencies. Instead, Open Forum is advocating for the company to be repositioned to ensure a steady electricity supply, which is essential for economic development.
The State Electricity Act and power summit held in 2025 have not yielded the desired results, and Open Forum is urging the state government to invite the original team that established the company to help rescue and reposition it. With the National Assembly’s investigation underway, the outcome is likely to have significant implications for the implementation of the tax reform laws and the future of the country’s economic policies.