Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of overseeing what he described as the forging of laws, warning that such actions pose a serious danger to constitutional order and public confidence.
In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,” shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Saturday, Obi alleged that there are verifiable inconsistencies between bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions eventually gazetted and implemented by the executive arm of government.
He stressed that the matter goes far beyond administrative lapses, describing it as a grave constitutional violation that exposes deep-rooted institutional decay.
According to Obi, Nigeria has moved from an era marked by padded budgets to one in which laws are allegedly being altered, with far-reaching implications for taxpayers’ rights and citizens’ access to justice.
The former Anambra State governor also criticised the Presidency for remaining silent on the issue, noting that the allegations suggest possible forgery, abuse of process and deliberate institutional sabotage.
Obi said the country’s ongoing challenges are reflected in the decisions taken by leaders at the highest levels, adding that the reported discrepancies between legislative approvals and enacted laws are unacceptable and damaging to democratic governance.
He further expressed concern over what he described as the introduction of enforcement and coercive provisions that were never approved by the House of Representatives. These, he noted, include a compulsory 20 per cent deposit before appeals can be heard in court, the sale of assets without judicial oversight, and the extension of arrest powers to tax authorities.
Obi described the Presidency’s silence on allegations of such magnitude as deeply troubling, questioning who was responsible for the alleged alterations.
He called for full public disclosure, insisting that Nigerians deserve clarity on what was passed by lawmakers, what was signed into law and what is currently being enforced. According to him, citizens cannot be continually burdened with higher taxes while trust in governance continues to erode.
Obi concluded by calling for leadership rooted in due process, transparency and accountability, stressing that no nation can succeed where laws are allegedly forged and silence takes the place of responsible governance.
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