Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has commended the Federal Government for issuing the General Guidelines for the Transition and Implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, describing the development as a significant milestone that reinforces confidence in Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform agenda.

The guidelines provide much-needed clarity on the implementation of the new tax framework and affirm the principle that the Tax Acts 2025 will not be applied retrospectively to accounting periods preceding January 1, 2026.

Speaking on the development, the Director-General, NECA, Adewale-SmattOyerinde, said the government’s clarification on the transition process would eliminate the uncertainty that would have arisen from any retrospective application of tax provisions to completed accounting periods.

Oyerinde added that by providing clear guidance on how previous and current tax obligations should be treated, the Federal Government had strengthened confidence in the reform process and demonstrated a commitment to stakeholder engagement that supports compliance and economic stability.

BUT the All Workers’ Convergence (AWC) has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that its policies and actions threaten democratic governance and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

In an open letter addressed to the President, the National Coordinator of the group, Andrew Emelieze, accused the Federal Government of fostering political intolerance, weakening opposition parties and presiding over worsening insecurity across the country.

Emelieze argued that democracy should serve the collective interests of citizens rather than the ambitions of a few political actors, warning against what he described as attempts to concentrate political power.

According to him, the administration’s handling of governance issues has raised concerns about the health of Nigeria’s democracy, particularly in relation to civic freedoms and political pluralism.

“The summary of it all is that governance under your leadership has been hazardous and a serious threat to our democracy,” he stated.

The labour activist alleged that dissenting voices were increasingly being suppressed through arrests, detentions and litigation against critics of government policies.

He also expressed concern over the wave of defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the internal crises affecting some opposition parties, claiming that such developments had fuelled fears of a drift towards a one-party political system.

On the security situation, Emelieze lamented the continued attacks by bandits and other criminal groups, describing the rising insecurity as evidence that the government had yet to effectively address threats to lives and property.

He maintained that the persistent killings, kidnappings and violence in different parts of the country had left many Nigerians feeling vulnerable and disillusioned.