Obi accuses FG of altering tax laws after passage by National Assembly

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has accused the federal government of tampering with laws passed by the National Assembly before they were officially gazetted.

Obi’s allegation follows concerns raised in the House of Representatives over inconsistencies between the versions of four tax reform acts approved by lawmakers and the copies later gazetted after being signed by President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, the former Anambra State governor said Nigeria was witnessing a shift from the era of “padded budgets” to one of “forged laws”.

He argued that discrepancies between what legislators passed and what eventually became law pose a serious threat to constitutional governance and further weaken public trust in government.

According to Obi, the newly enacted tax reform laws contain provisions that were never approved by the National Assembly. These include a compulsory 20 per cent deposit requirement before tax-related appeals can be heard in court, clauses permitting the sale of assets without judicial oversight, and powers allowing tax authorities to arrest citizens.

He described the additions as “outrageous” and said they amount to coercive measures that undermine taxpayers’ rights and restrict access to justice.

“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,” Obi said.

“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.

“The silence of the Presidency on a matter involving allegations of forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of process is deeply disturbing.”

Obi called for the full disclosure of all versions of the laws — those passed by the National Assembly, signed by the president, and ultimately gazetted — insisting that Nigerians deserve clarity.

“Nigerians need to understand what was signed, what was passed, and what was formally recorded,” he said.

“We cannot continue to ask citizens to pay more taxes while trust in governance collapses.”

He urged leaders to recommit to due process, transparency and accountability, warning that no country can make meaningful progress when its laws are manipulated.