Hamzat vows to stop multiple taxes in Lagos

Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Obafemi Hamzat, has shared plans to simplify tax collection across the state and put an end to multiple taxation.

He promised a single payment system and a 48-hour response time for taxpayers’ complaints.

Hamzat explained that the new plan will involve working with local governments to set up a unified tax schedule. This will make sure that residents and businesses do not face multiple demands after paying their taxes.

He spoke at a town hall meeting organized by BusinessDay on Friday. There, he discussed his proposed tax reforms ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The deputy governor mentioned that the Federal Government had cut down the number of taxes from 63 to nine through its tax reforms. He added that Lagos State is working to align its tax system with this new framework.

He clarified that this plan will respect the constitutional independence of local governments and the Supreme Court’s view on their status as a separate government.

He said, “What Lagos State is doing, I agree with you, my brother, is now harmonising it. Because the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s ruling that the local governments are a separate government. So that’s the ruling of the land.

“Therefore, what we are doing is to harmonise. Talk to local government and make sure that that nine is what is harmonising. That is the practical system. Knowing what exactly exists.”

Hamzat noted that the new system is meant to deal with complaints from residents and business owners who often find it hard to know the taxes they are supposed to pay.

He shared a story about a woman who asked for a clear list of her tax obligations so she could pay without facing more demands.

“Now, a woman told me when I was going, I said, let me just know what I need to pay. If I pay, leave me alone. I think that’s a fair request and I intend to honour it,” he said.

He promised to create a unified tax schedule that would be easy for taxpayers to access. He stressed that no one should have to pay levies that are not on the approved list.

“So that’s our promise, to make sure that taxes harmonise from 63 to just nine. And one schedule that everybody can see, if it’s not on the list, you are not paying it,” he said.

The APC candidate also pledged to set up a complaint centre where residents can report cases of multiple taxation and other issues with tax officials.

He stated that complaints sent through this new platform will get responses within 48 hours. He pointed out that this commitment is part of his manifesto.

Hamzat also talked about the problems of transporting food into Lagos. He mentioned that the state only produces five percent of the food it consumes.

He noted that traders bringing food from other states often face multiple collections along their routes before reaching Lagos. He said the state has no control over levies imposed outside its borders.

He explained that the new harmonisation will make sure that once a taxpayer pays what is required in Lagos, the relevant authorities, including local governments, can confirm it and avoid asking for extra payments.

The deputy governor also mentioned issues regarding rent and other complaints. He said Lagos State already has laws to handle some of these issues but needs to ensure residents can report violations and that the government takes action.