Tax Reform Laws Implementation Pause Sought by Open Forum

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 legislation. The Federal Government announced that the laws will take effect on 1 January 2026, despite concerns over their authenticity. The National Assembly has therefore 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 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 also encourages civil‑society groups and professional bodies to conduct independent investigations into the controversy surrounding the tax law.

Open Forum is additionally calling on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise more pressing reforms, such as tackling corruption and impunity, pursuing electoral and political reforms, and restructuring the country to practice true federalism. In a related development, the group urges the Akwa Ibom State government to implement the State post‑COVID‑19 Economic Reconstruction Plan, developed by a think‑tank led by Prof Akpan H. Ekpo, which has been abandoned since the previous administration.

The organisation warns against the possible sale of the state‑owned Ibom Power Company to private interests, citing inefficiencies. Instead, Open Forum advocates repositioning the company to ensure a steady electricity supply, which is essential for economic development. The State Electricity Act and the power summit held in 2025 have not yielded the desired results; therefore, Open Forum urges 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, its outcome is likely to have significant implications for the implementation of the tax reform laws and the future of the country’s economic policies.