Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned alleged alterations to Nigeria's recently enacted tax reform laws, describing the development as a shift "from padded budgets to forged laws" that undermines constitutional governance and erodes public trust.
In a statement titled "Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws," Obi highlighted documented discrepancies between the versions of the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and those published in the official gazette after President Bola Tinubu's assent in June 2025."
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," Obi said, adding that the changes affect taxpayers' rights and access to justice.
He pointed to the insertion of new provisions not approved by the House of Representatives, including a mandatory 20% deposit before tax appeals can be heard in court, asset sales without judicial oversight, and expanded arrest powers for tax authorities.
Obi expressed alarm over the Presidency's silence on the allegations of forgery and institutional sabotage, questioning: "Who made these alterations?"
"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," he stressed.
The former Anambra State governor called for leadership rooted in due process, transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, warning that no nation can thrive where laws are forged and silence replaces accountability.
Obi's comments come amid growing controversy over the four tax reform acts, the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act—set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The allegations were first raised by Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) on the House floor, prompting the formation of an ad-hoc committee to investigate post-passage alterations.
Lawmakers and legal experts have warned that such changes, if proven, could constitute a constitutional breach or even treasonable offence.
The Presidency has yet to respond directly to the forgery claims, though it has defended the reforms as essential for boosting revenue and modernising tax administration.
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