Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has accused the Nigerian federal government of making decisions that left many unresolved issues.
Peter Obi claims that the public’s trust in the government is rapidly eroding.
He called on the government to be more transparent, accountable, and respectful of the law.
In a post on Saturday on his đ account, the former governor of Anambra State said that there are differences between legislation enacted by the legislature and what the executive finally issued as law.
He bemoaned the fact that the government is now drafting legislation instead of just padding the budget.
Obi specifically stated that the House of Representatives never endorsed the new enforcement and coercive powers being introduced by the government.
Naija News is aware of Obi’s remarks were made in response to accusations made by Abdulsammad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives, regarding differences between the official versions of tax laws published by the executive branch and those passed by the National Assembly.
The former presidential candidate emphasized that Nigerians must comprehend what was signed, approved, and officially documented. He also stated that the government cannot keep requesting higher taxes from the populace while public confidence in the government is eroding.
“Our national shame continues to unfold, evident in the decisions made by our leaders, even at the highest levels of government,” he said. The documented differences between what the legislature passed and what the executive finally issued as law serve as a stark reminder of this disgrace. This is a grave issue that challenges the foundation of constitutional governance and exposes the depth of our institutional deterioration; it is not just an administrative error.
“We have moved from a Nigeria where budgets are padded to one where laws are forgedâchanges that affect the rights of taxpayers and, most crucially, access to justice.
The introduction of new enforcement and coercive powers that were never approved by the House of Representatives is much more concerning. These include allowing tax agents the authority to make arrests, selling assets without judicial review, and imposing an absurd 20% deposit requirement before appeals can be heard in court.
The President’s silence on accusations of falsification, institutional sabotage, and procedural abuse is perhaps the most troubling. These changes were made by whom?
“Everything needs to be made public. Nigerians must comprehend what was officially documented, passed, and signed. As public confidence in government erodes, we cannot keep asking people to pay higher taxes.
“We require leadership that respects the rule of law, upholds due process, and encourages accountability and transparency. Where laws are made and silence takes the place of leadership, no country can prosper.
It is possible to create a new Nigeria. -PO
