Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has alleged that Nigeria has moved from a system of padded budgets to one where laws are forged.
Gatekeepers News reports that he accused the federal government of altering laws passed by the national assembly before they were officially gazetted, raising concerns over discrepancies in four recently signed tax reform acts.
In a statement on his X account on Saturday, Obi said the mismatch between what the legislature approved and what was made law undermines constitutional governance and erodes public trust.
Obi asserted that the newly enacted tax laws contain additions that were never sanctioned, including a compulsory 20 percent deposit for tax appeal cases, clauses allowing asset sales without judicial supervision, and authorities given power to arrest citizens. He called these “outrageous” coercive measures that impinge on taxpayers’ rights and access to justice.
He stated, “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.”
Obi further alleged that the silence of the Presidency on a matter involving allegations of forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of process is deeply disturbing.
The former Anambra Governor demanded transparency by releasing the versions passed by the national assembly, those signed by the president, and the final gazetted texts.
Obi said, “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 urged leadership that respects due process, transparency, and accountability, warning that no country can thrive where laws are distorted.
