The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has described the Nigerian Presidency’s silence on alleged changes to laws passed by the National Assembly as dangerous, raising concerns about transparency in the lawmaking process.
Obi in a statement on Saturday said the differences between what the legislature approved and what was eventually published as law indicate a breakdown in proper legislative procedure.
He noted that these changes could affect taxation and access to justice.
He highlighted the introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that were not approved by the House of Representatives.
He emphasised the need for leadership that follows due process and respects the rule of law.
Obi said, “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws. 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. We need leadership that follows due process, embraces transparency and accountability, and respects the rule of law.”
