Our Reporter, Abuja
Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has launched a blistering attack on the Federal Government, accusing it of presiding over what he described as a dangerous descent from padded budgets to the forging of laws, warning that Nigeria’s constitutional order is under grave threat.
Reacting to allegations over unlawful insertions into the newly passed tax laws in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, Obi alleged that laws currently being enforced by the executive arm of government contain provisions that were never passed by the National Assembly, describing the situation as a “national shame” and a clear sign of institutional decay at the highest levels of governance.
“Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government,” Obi wrote.
“This shame is highlighted by a deeply troubling—and frankly unacceptable—issue: the documented discrepancies between what the legislature passed and what was ultimately published as law by the executive.”
The former governor warned that the matter goes far beyond clerical errors, insisting that it strikes at the very heart of constitutional governance.
“This is not merely an administrative oversight; it is a serious matter that strikes at the core of constitutional governance and reveals the extent of our institutional decay,” he stated.
Obi expressed outrage over what he described as the insertion of coercive and punitive provisions into law without legislative approval, noting that such actions undermine citizens’ rights and access to justice.
“We have transitioned from a Nigeria where budgets are padded to one where laws are forged—changes that impact taxpayers’ rights and, most importantly, access to justice,” he said.
Among the alleged insertions, Obi highlighted a mandatory requirement for citizens to deposit 20 per cent of disputed sums before appeals can be heard in court, the sale of assets without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities—measures he said were never approved by the House of Representatives.
“Even more alarming is the introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that the House of Representatives never approved,” Obi noted, describing the provisions as “outrageous” and authoritarian.
The Labour Party chieftain also took aim at the Presidency, accusing it of maintaining a disturbing silence in the face of allegations bordering on forgery and abuse of process.
“Perhaps most disturbing is the silence of the Presidency on a matter involving allegations of forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of process,” he said, pointedly asking: “Who made these alterations?”
Obi demanded full disclosure, insisting that Nigerians have a right to know what was passed by the legislature, what was signed by the President, and what eventually became law.
“All of this must be made public. Nigerians need to understand what was signed, what was passed, and what was formally recorded,” he said.
He warned that the erosion of trust in governance makes it untenable for government to continue imposing heavier tax burdens on citizens.
“We cannot continue to ask citizens to pay more taxes while trust in governance collapses,” Obi stressed.
Calling for a return to due process, transparency and respect for the rule of law, Obi cautioned that no country can make progress under a system where laws are manipulated and leadership responds with silence.
“We need leadership that follows due process, embraces transparency and accountability, and respects the rule of law,” he said.
“No nation can thrive where laws are forged and silence replaces leadership.”
