Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as a dangerous breakdown in Nigeria’s legislative process, accusing the Presidency of remaining silent over alleged alterations to tax laws passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Obi said discrepancies between bills approved by the legislature and the versions eventually published as law point to serious violations of due process, transparency, and constitutional governance.
According to him, the alleged alterations could have far-reaching consequences for taxpayers and citizens’ access to justice.
Obi alleged that provisions not approved by the House of Representatives were introduced into the final versions of the laws, including new enforcement and coercive powers for tax authorities.
“These include an outrageous requirement for a mandatory 20 per cent deposit before appeals can be heard in court, asset sales without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor described the development as a continuation of what he termed Nigeria’s “national shame,” arguing that the country has moved from budget padding to what he called the forging of laws.
“This is not merely an administrative oversight; it is a serious matter that strikes at the core of constitutional governance and reveals the depth of our institutional decay,” Obi said.
He expressed concern over what he described as the Presidency’s silence on allegations involving forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of legislative process, stressing that Nigerians deserve full disclosure.
“Who made these alterations? Nigerians need to know what was passed, what was signed, and what was formally recorded as law,” he added.
Obi warned that public trust in governance would continue to erode if citizens are asked to bear increased tax burdens amid questions over legislative integrity.
He called on the Tinubu administration to uphold due process, transparency, and accountability, insisting that respect for the rule of law remains essential to rebuilding public confidence in government.
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