Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of presiding over what he described as the forging of laws, warning that the development poses a serious threat to constitutional governance, public trust and the rule of law.
In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws”, posted on his official X handle on Saturday, the former Anambra State governor alleged that there are documented discrepancies between bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions eventually published and implemented by the executive arm of government.
According to Obi, the issue goes far beyond administrative mistakes, describing it as a grave constitutional breach that reflects deep-seated institutional decay within the Nigerian state. He argued that Nigeria appears to be sliding from an era notorious for padded budgets into a more dangerous phase where laws themselves are allegedly altered.
“Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government,” Obi stated. “This is not merely an administrative oversight; it is a serious matter that strikes at the core of constitutional governance.”
The former governor warned that such alleged alterations have far-reaching implications for citizens, particularly taxpayers, as well as for access to justice. He expressed concern that changes introduced into laws without legislative approval could fundamentally alter citizens’ rights and obligations.
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Obi specifically raised alarm over what he described as the introduction of enforcement and coercive provisions that were never approved by the House of Representatives. Among these, he cited an alleged requirement for a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before appeals can be heard in court, provisions allowing asset sales without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.
“These are far-reaching powers that fundamentally affect citizens’ rights,” Obi said, adding that their alleged insertion without legislative approval represents a dangerous precedent.
He also criticised the Presidency for what he described as a troubling silence on the matter, noting that the allegations touch on possible forgery, abuse of process and institutional sabotage. Obi questioned who authorised the alleged alterations and why no official explanation has been offered to Nigerians.
“All of this must be made public,” he insisted. “Nigerians deserve to know what was passed, what was signed and what was eventually recorded as law.”
Obi warned that public confidence in governance would continue to erode if citizens are asked to bear heavier tax burdens while trust in institutions collapses. He called for leadership that respects due process, transparency and accountability, stressing that no nation can thrive where the rule of law is undermined.
“No country can make progress where laws are forged and silence replaces leadership,” Obi concluded.
