By Deborah Nnamdi
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over what he described as serious discrepancies between laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions 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 the era of padded budgets to what he termed the forging of laws, warning that such practices pose 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 matter goes beyond administrative error, describing it as a direct assault on the rule of law and a reflection of deep institutional decay.
“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 affecting citizens.
According to him, 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.
“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,” Obi said, adding that the House of Representatives never approved some of the inserted provisions.
He also criticised the Presidency for what he described as 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. Who made these alterations?” he asked.
Calling for transparency, Obi said Nigerians deserve full disclosure of what was passed by lawmakers, what was signed into law, and what is currently 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.
