2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s governance process, accusing the Federal Government of presiding over what he described as the fabrication of laws following the presentation of the 2026 national budget.
In a strongly worded statement titled “ _Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,”_ shared on his official X handle on Saturday, Obi warned that the alleged discrepancies threaten constitutional order and further weaken public confidence in government.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Friday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint sitting of the National Assembly, outlining key fiscal assumptions for the coming year. According to the President, the budget proposes a capital expenditure of ₦26.08 trillion, with a crude oil benchmark of US$64.85 per barrel.
He disclosed that the Federal Government expects total revenue of ₦34.33 trillion, with ₦15.52 trillion earmarked for debt servicing.
The projected budget deficit stands at ₦23.85 trillion, representing 4.28 per cent of GDP. The proposal is based on crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.
However, Obi alleged that beyond the figures and projections lies a deeper problem.
According to him, documents passed by the National Assembly do not align with those eventually published and enforced by the executive arm of government.
> “Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government,” Obi wrote.
He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” adding:
> “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.”
Obi insisted the matter goes far beyond clerical errors.
> “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,” he said.
In one of his strongest remarks, the former Anambra State governor warned that Nigeria may have crossed a dangerous line.
> “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.”
He further alleged that new enforcement provisions appeared in the final documents without legislative approval.
> “Even more alarming is the introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that the House of Representatives never approved,” Obi stated.
According to him, 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.”
Obi also questioned the silence of the Presidency on the matter.
> “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.”
Calling for full disclosure, he added:
> “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 concluded with a call for responsible leadership rooted in transparency and the rule of law.
> “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.”
