The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to expedite action on the domestication of the Harmonised Tax Law.
He warned that its continued delay is exposing farmers, traders and business owners to multiple taxation and illegal revenue collections.
Alli, in a statement released on Sunday by the Director of Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, expressed concern over what he described as the state government’s lack of commitment to passing the legislation despite growing complaints about arbitrary levies imposed on the movement of goods and agricultural produce across the state.
He alleged that non-state actors parading themselves as revenue agents had continued to mount illegal roadblocks, harass motorists and extort money from farmers and traders under various questionable tax categories.
According to him, farmers transporting agricultural produce from Oyo North to Ibadan and business owners moving goods from Ibadan to other parts of the state have repeatedly faced multiple collections at different points along the state’s road network.
The APC candidate argued that such practices were increasing the cost of transporting essential commodities, eroding the profit margins of small-scale business owners and placing additional financial burdens on ordinary residents.
He maintained that the people of Oyo State deserved a transparent and coordinated tax administration system that would protect legitimate businesses rather than subject them to arbitrary financial demands.
Alli said the domestication of the Harmonised Tax Law would provide a framework for streamlining tax administration across state and local government levels, eliminating unauthorised collections and curbing the activities of individuals exploiting revenue collection arrangements to extort unsuspecting motorists.
He further argued that the continued absence of the legislation had created room for multiple taxation and the activities of illegal collectors, insisting that the state government needed to demonstrate greater urgency in addressing the situation.
The former lawmaker also claimed that several states had already enacted the legislation, while others were making progress towards its domestication, describing Oyo’s alleged delay as a setback to efforts aimed at creating a business-friendly environment.
He urged Makinde to prioritise the legislation and ensure its passage, saying that an effective tax system should promote economic activities, encourage investment and protect farmers, transporters, traders and consumers from unnecessary financial burdens.
Looking ahead to the 2027 governorship election, Alli pledged that if elected governor, his administration would ensure the passage of the Harmonised Tax Law within its first 100 days in office.
He said his proposed administration would prioritise a tax regime that discourages arbitrary collections, promotes accountability and creates an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“The people of Oyo State deserve a tax system that protects farmers, transporters, business owners and consumers; a tax system that encourages businesses rather than burdens them, and a tax system that promotes economic growth and prosperity,” Alli was quoted as saying.