Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns about what he described as the alleged alteration and forgery of Nigerian laws. He warned that this troubling development threatens the foundation of constitutional governance in the country.
Obi accused the Federal Government of allowing a system where laws passed by the National Assembly are reportedly changed before being published and enforced. He described this shift as a dangerous move from past issues of padded budgets to a new era where the integrity of Nigeria’s laws is in question.
In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,” shared on his official X handle, Obi highlighted clear and documented differences between bills approved by lawmakers and the versions eventually released as law by the executive branch.
He emphasized that this is not a minor administrative error but a major constitutional problem reflecting deep institutional decay. Obi warned that such actions undermine public trust, weaken democracy, and harm citizens’ rights.
Obi noted that Nigeria seems to have moved beyond financial manipulations in budgeting to a more alarming practice where laws are altered after legislative approval. This, he said, directly impacts taxpayers, the justice system, and the rule of law.
He further accused the Presidency of remaining silent on allegations involving possible forgery, abuse of process, and institutional sabotage. Obi questioned why such a serious issue has not been openly addressed, given its implications for governance and accountability.
He stated:
“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.”
Obi also expressed concern about newly introduced enforcement powers that were never approved by the House of Representatives. These include a mandatory 20 percent deposit before appeals can be heard, asset sales without proper judicial oversight, and granting arrest powers to tax authorities. He warned that if these provisions were not passed by lawmakers, they represent serious violations of democratic processes and could be used to intimidate citizens.
“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.
He stressed the need for full transparency, insisting that Nigerians deserve to know exactly what was passed by the National Assembly, what was signed into law, and what is currently being enforced.
Obi added, “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 concluded by calling for leadership that respects due process, accountability, and the rule of law, warning that no nation can develop under a system where laws are allegedly forged and critical questions are met with silence.
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