Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised serious concerns over discrepancies between Nigeria’s recently passed tax reform bills and the versions later signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Obi, the differences between what the House of Representatives approved and what was eventually gazetted represent a troubling shift in governance, moving from accusations of padded budgets to what he described as the alteration of laws themselves.

In a statement shared on his official X account, formerly known as Twitter, Obi accused the Federal Government of undermining public confidence and weakening constitutional order. He argued that the issue goes beyond administrative errors and instead reflects a deeper failure of institutional integrity.

The former presidential candidate said Nigeria is witnessing a dangerous pattern where legislative processes are no longer respected. He warned that manipulating laws after parliamentary approval threatens citizens’ rights, particularly access to justice and fair taxation.

Meanwhile, Obi expressed alarm over provisions that reportedly appeared in the final versions of the tax laws despite not being approved by lawmakers. According to him, these include expanded enforcement powers for tax authorities, mandatory deposits before legal appeals can be heard, asset seizures without proper judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax officials.

He described these measures as excessive and harmful, stressing that such powers were never debated or passed by the House of Representatives. Obi noted that the implications for taxpayers could be severe, especially in an already strained economic environment.

Perhaps most concerning, he said, is the lack of an official response from the Presidency. Obi questioned who was responsible for the alleged changes and why no explanation has been offered despite the seriousness of the allegations.

He called on the Federal Government to make the entire process public, urging transparency around what lawmakers passed, what the executive signed, and what was ultimately recorded as law. According to reports, Obi believes Nigerians cannot be asked to bear heavier tax burdens while confidence in governance continues to erode.

Obi appealed for leadership anchored in due process, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. He warned that no country can make meaningful progress when laws are altered in silence and constitutional safeguards are ignored.