Peter Obi Accuses FG of ‘Forged Laws’ After 2026 Budget Presentation

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of presiding over the alleged fabrication of laws, following the presentation of the 2026 national budget by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement titled “Migrating from Padded Budgets to Forged Laws,” posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, Obi warned that the alleged actions pose a serious threat to constitutional governance and could further erode public trust in government institutions.

President Tinubu on Friday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the National Assembly, outlining key fiscal assumptions for the coming year.

According to the President, the proposed budget provides for ?26.08 trillion in capital expenditure, with a crude oil benchmark of $64.85 per barrel. The government projects total revenue of ?34.33 trillion, while ?15.52 trillion is earmarked for debt servicing. The budget deficit stands at ?23.85 trillion, representing 4.28 percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The proposal is based on an estimated crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day and an exchange rate assumption of ?1,400 to the US dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.

However, Obi alleged that discrepancies exist between bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions 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 said.

He described the alleged discrepancies as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” stressing that they go beyond administrative errors and strike at the heart of Nigeria’s constitutional order.

“This is not merely an administrative oversight; it is a serious matter that reveals the extent of our institutional decay,” he stated.

Obi further claimed that the country has moved “from padded budgets to forged laws,” arguing that such practices undermine taxpayers’ rights and access to justice.

He raised concerns over what he described as the introduction of enforcement and coercive provisions that were allegedly never approved by the House of Representatives, including a proposed mandatory 20 percent deposit before appeals can be heard, asset sales without judicial oversight, and the granting of arrest powers to tax authorities.

“Perhaps most disturbing is the silence of the Presidency on a matter involving allegations of forgery, institutional sabotage, and abuse of process,” Obi said, demanding full disclosure on how the alleged alterations were made.

He urged the government to clarify what was passed by lawmakers, what was signed into law, and what was officially gazetted, warning that citizens cannot be asked to bear increased tax burdens while confidence in governance continues to decline.

Obi concluded by calling for leadership anchored on due process, transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, insisting that no nation can thrive where laws are allegedly forged and silence replaces accountability.