According to the report from SYMFONI TV, Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, veteran Nollywood actor, lawyer, and politician, has raised alarm over what he describes as a dangerous convergence of constitutional breaches, administrative overreach, and political manipulation threatening Nigeria’s democratic foundations. Speaking in an in-depth conversation on the Rivers State crisis and the recently contested tax framework, Okonkwo warned that the implications extend far beyond Rivers politics to the integrity of the constitution and the future of elections nationwide.
At the centre of his concern is the alleged manipulation of legislative instruments and the manner in which executive authorities now wield expansive powers without adequate checks. Okonkwo argued that the controversy surrounding the tax law is not merely about revenue collection but about due process and the rule of law.
According to him, the current framework empowers tax authorities in ways that undermine judicial oversight and citizens’ rights. He cautioned that this shift alters the balance of power between the state and the individual, eroding long-standing legal safeguards designed to prevent abuse.
“These authorities can now access your tax records, determine what you must pay, go directly to your bank, seize your funds, and deduct money without a court order,” Okonkwo said. “In law, we call this ‘garnishee proceedings,’ but here it is done without judicial oversight. The tax authority becomes the investigator, prosecutor, and judge.”
Okonkwo stressed that such powers, when exercised without court supervision, contradict constitutional principles and open the door to arbitrary enforcement. He warned that normalising this approach could weaken public confidence in institutions and set a precedent for further encroachments on civil liberties.
Beyond taxation, Okonkwo linked these developments to the political turmoil in Rivers State, where governance disputes and the spectre of a state of emergency have heightened national anxiety. He maintained that the use of extraordinary measures in resolving political conflicts risks substituting constitutional processes with executive fiat.
In his view, democracy suffers when political actors rely on forceful administrative tools rather than lawful, transparent mechanisms. He warned that if unchecked, these practices could distort electoral competition, intimidate dissenting voices, and undermine the independence of institutions meant to safeguard democracy.
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