By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Campaign for Equal Rights and Opportunities for all Nigerians (CERON) has urged the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the newly introduced tax law, citing widespread concerns raised by lawmakers and members of the public.

CERON made the call amid growing controversy surrounding the law, which has continued to attract criticism since it was gazetted, with questions being raised about its content and alignment with what was passed by the National Assembly.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of CERON, Mr. Francis Odiir, emphasized the need for the Federal Government to take seriously the issues highlighted by legislators and Nigerians regarding the tax policy.

Odiir noted that it was important for the government to carefully review the discrepancies being pointed out between the gazetted version of the law and the bill originally approved by the National Assembly.

According to him, the fact that lawmakers, who played a key role in passing the legislation, are raising concerns should serve as a serious warning signal to the government.

He stressed that public dissatisfaction with the law indicates a possible lack of clarity, inclusiveness, or proper consultation during the policy formulation process.

Odiir further cautioned that the controversy trailing the tax law could undermine public trust in government policies if not promptly addressed.

He argued that rather than pushing ahead with implementation, the Federal Government should pause and engage relevant stakeholders to resolve the contentious aspects of the law.

The CERON executive secretary maintained that open dialogue and transparency would help prevent potential economic and social backlash that could arise from enforcing a disputed policy.

He stated that it was time for the Federal Government to reconsider the tax policy in the interest of fairness, accountability, and national cohesion.