By Ali Elias
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over what he described as a dangerous erosion of constitutional governance in Nigeria, alleging discrepancies between laws passed by the National Assembly and those ultimately assented to and published by the executive arm of government.
In a strongly worded statement released on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi warned that Nigeria had moved from the era of “padded budgets” to what he termed the forging of laws, a development he said poses grave risks to taxpayers’ rights, access to justice, and public trust in government institutions.
According to him, the reported alterations go beyond clerical errors and amount to a fundamental breach of legislative process. “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,” Obi said.
He expressed particular concern over the inclusion of new enforcement and coercive provisions that were allegedly never approved by the House of Representatives. Among these, he listed a mandatory requirement for appellants to deposit 20 per cent of disputed sums before appeals can be heard, the sale of assets without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.
“These are outrageous provisions,” Obi said, arguing that such measures fundamentally alter citizens’ rights and tilt the balance of power dangerously against the rule of law.
The former governor also questioned what he described as the troubling silence of the Presidency in the face of allegations involving forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of process. “Who made these alterations?” he asked, calling for full disclosure and accountability.
Obi insisted that Nigerians deserve clarity on what was passed by the legislature, what was signed into law, and what was officially gazetted. He warned that public confidence in governance would continue to erode if citizens are expected to shoulder heavier tax burdens amid growing doubts about due process and transparency.
“We cannot continue to ask citizens to pay more taxes while trust in governance collapses,” he stated.
Calling for a return to leadership anchored on constitutionalism, Obi urged those in authority to embrace transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, stressing that no nation can prosper where laws are allegedly manipulated and silence replaces responsible leadership.
Concluding his statement, Obi reiterated his long-standing reform message, declaring that “a New Nigeria is possible” if governance is guided by integrity and due process.