Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over what he described as discrepancies between laws passed by the National Assembly and those eventually published and enforced by the executive arm of government.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Obi said Nigeria had moved from an era of padded budgets to what he termed the forging of laws, warning that the development poses grave threats to constitutional governance, taxpayers’ rights and access to justice.
“Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government,” Obi said. “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.”
He stressed that the issue goes beyond administrative error, describing it as a fundamental assault on the rule of law.
“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 further alleged that provisions not approved by the House of Representatives were inserted into the final version of the law, including new enforcement and coercive powers.
“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.
According to him, some of the controversial provisions include a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before appeals can be heard in court, the sale of assets without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.
“Even more alarming is the introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that the House of Representatives never approved,” Obi noted.
He also criticised the Presidency for what he described as silence in the face of serious allegations.
“Perhaps most disturbing is the silence of the Presidency on a matter involving allegations of forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of process. Who made these alterations?” he asked.
Calling for transparency, Obi insisted that Nigerians deserve full disclosure on the legislative process and the final laws being enforced.
“All of this must be made public. Nigerians need to understand what was signed, what was passed, and what was formally recorded. We cannot continue to ask citizens to pay more taxes while trust in governance collapses,” he said.
He urged leaders at all levels to recommit to due process, accountability and respect for the rule of law, warning that no country can prosper under opaque governance.
“We need leadership that follows due process, embraces transparency and accountability, and respects the rule of law. No nation can thrive where laws are forged and silence replaces leadership,” Obi declared.
