Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has promised to pass the Tax Harmonisation Law within his first 100 days in office if elected, saying the legislation would help tackle multiple taxation and illegal revenue collection across the state.
Alli made the pledge while calling on Governor Seyi Makinde to facilitate the passage of the law before the end of his administration, accusing the state government of allowing unauthorised levies to persist.
He raised concerns over reports of farmers being forced to pay multiple charges while transporting agricultural produce from Oyo North to Ibadan, as well as traders and business owners facing similar demands when moving goods between different parts of the state.
According to him, some individuals allegedly operating as revenue agents have mounted roadblocks and imposed levies on motorists and traders under different pretexts, subjecting farmers and other business operators to harassment and extortion.
The APC candidate warned that the practice was worsening the financial difficulties of small-scale businesses, as repeated payments on the movement of goods increase commodity prices and eat into the earnings of producers and traders.
In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Bisi Oladele, said the continued absence of the harmonisation law had left residents exposed to arbitrary collections.
Oladele said the proposed legislation would provide a uniform framework for tax administration across state and local government areas, prevent multiple taxation and check unauthorised revenue collectors.
He maintained that Oyo residents should not be subjected to repeated payments and intimidation on the state’s roads in the name of revenue generation.
The campaign organisation also faulted the Makinde administration for what it described as its failure to show sufficient commitment to the legislation, claiming that several other states had already passed the law while some were at advanced stages of the process.
Alli said his proposed administration would prioritise the legislation, arguing that a fair and coordinated tax system would protect farmers, transporters, traders and consumers while creating a more favourable environment for businesses to grow.
He urged the state government to act on the matter, insisting that residents deserved a tax system that generates revenue without placing unnecessary burdens on individuals and businesses.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
