Nigerian Leaders Have Graduated From Engaging In ‘Budget Padding’ To Making Unauthorized Changes To Laws-Peter Obi

Former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi has reacted to the allegations raised by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Abdussamad Dasuki on Wednesday that there are ‘strange’ clauses in the gazette copy of the new tax laws and that there are clauses in the gazette copy that are not in the enrolled version.

Mr Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, submitted on Saturday that the Federal Government is toying with public trust.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Mr Peter Obi gave his take on the issue in an X.com post while urging the Federal Government to attach importance to due process, transparency, and accountability.

‘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. No nation can thrive where laws are forged and silence replaces leadership’ Mr Peter Obi submitted in an X.com post titled ‘Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws’–Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you