Taiwo Popoola
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Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of presiding over what he described as the forging of laws, warning that the development poses a grave threat to constitutional governance and public trust.In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,” posted on his X handle on Saturday, Obi alleged that there were documented discrepancies between laws passed by the National Assembly and those eventually published and enforced by the executive.He said the issue goes beyond administrative error, describing it as a serious constitutional breach that reflects deep institutional decay.According to Obi, Nigeria has moved from an era of padded budgets to one where laws are allegedly altered, with consequences for taxpayers’ rights and access to justice.The former Anambra State governor also faulted the Presidency for its silence on the matter, noting that the allegations involve possible forgery, abuse of process and institutional sabotage.Obi said: “Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government. 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. 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.“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.“Even more alarming is the introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that the House of Representatives never approved. These include an outrageous requirement for a mandatory 20% deposit before appeals can be heard in court, asset sales without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.“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?
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of presiding over what he described as the forging of laws, warning that the development poses a grave threat to constitutional governance and public trust.
In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,” posted on his X handle on Saturday, Obi alleged that there were documented discrepancies between laws passed by the National Assembly and those eventually published and enforced by the executive.
He said the issue goes beyond administrative error, describing it as a serious constitutional breach that reflects deep institutional decay.
According to Obi, Nigeria has moved from an era of padded budgets to one where laws are allegedly altered, with consequences for taxpayers’ rights and access to justice.
The former Anambra State governor also faulted the Presidency for its silence on the matter, noting that the allegations involve possible forgery, abuse of process and institutional sabotage.
Obi said: “Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government. 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. 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.
“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.
“Even more alarming is the introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that the House of Representatives never approved. These include an outrageous requirement for a mandatory 20% deposit before appeals can be heard in court, asset sales without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.
“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?
“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.
