POLITICS
Sanwo-Olu Urges Effective Implementation as Lagos Backs National Tax Reforms
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that the success of Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms will depend largely on effective implementation at the sub-national level.
Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos was ready to play a leadership role in the implementation.
He spoke on Tuesday at a tax reform summit in Lagos State, with the theme: “From Reforms to Results”.
At the summit, stakeholders examined practical steps for translating policy into measurable outcomes.
The governor said that Lagos, regarded as a trailblazer in fiscal innovation and regulatory administration, could no longer rely on past achievements in the face of rapid population growth, expanding economic activities and rising competition.
“Lagos cannot rest on its past glory. In a rapidly-changing economic environment, the question before us is not whether to adapt, but how to adapt most effectively,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that the tax reforms were not merely about increasing revenue, but about building public trust, encouraging voluntary compliance and creating a fiscal ecosystem where citizens and businesses could thrive.
“Taxation is a social contract. When the government is responsible, practical and responsive, people are more willing to comply because they can see their contributions translated into infrastructure, social services and improved quality of life,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos would continue to deploy tax revenues toward transport infrastructure, education, security, environmental resilience and targeted social protection programmes.
He said that the state consistently achieved over 90 per cent budget implementation with capital expenditure outweighing recurrent spending.
“As national reforms place emphasis on consumption-based taxation, data integration and system efficiency, Lagos is positioning itself to ensure that implementation delivers real value to our people and our economy.”
He dismissed claims that the reforms would place additional burden on the poor, saying that the objective was to protect vulnerable groups and strengthen compliance among higher income earners.
“Only a small percentage currently bears the tax burden.
”These reforms are designed to broaden the base, protect small businesses and ensure equity across the system,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Revenue and Taxation, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said the summit marked another milestone to work in alignment with stakeholders and the presidential committee on tax reforms.
“The committee is dedicated to unveiling strategies for the integration of the revenue administrative framework in a renewed commitment to establish an innovative, intentional and transparent seamless system that would address multiple taxation,” he said.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Finance, Oluyomi Abayomi, described the tax reform agenda as timely and critical to sustaining the trajectory of the growth of Lagos.
He said that Lagos State Ministry of Finance was ready to provide coordination and leadership to translate deliberations from the summit into executable plans.
“We have moved beyond theory. The hard work now is implementation, and the ministry is prepared to drive this process in collaboration with other tiers of government, the private sector and professionals.
“This is more than revenue collection. It is about fostering trust, ensuring fairness and creating a system where everyone, especially small businesses can prosper while those with greater capacity meet their full obligations,” Abayomi said.
He expressed confidence that, with sustained collaboration and data-driven approaches, Lagos would continue to lead in implementing reforms that would align with national objectives while reflecting the state’s unique economic realities.
Kabiru Garba, Zamfara Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party is ready to take over Zamfara from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 General Elections.
Garba stated this while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday at the stakeholders’ meeting for the phase II Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in Gusau.
Garba stated that the party was receiving new members from various political parties in the state.
“As I am speaking to you now, we are busy every day receiving high caliber political stakeholders in the state.
“People believe with the ideologies of our great party, the party is getting more popular on a daily basis.
“We are becoming stronger, the party is capable of winning all political offices in the state including the governorship position in the 2027 general elections,” the party Chairman explained.
Garba said that the ADC was the “most popular party in Zamfara” as people of the state were willing to join the party on a daily basis.
“The ADC is ready for the election, even if it’s held tomorrow.
“I believe people of the state are ever ready to vote for ADC, they are tired with the ongoing administration in the state aled by the PDP.
“The entire Nigerians are also tired with the ongoing administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC),”he added.
Garba commended the arrangements by INEC for the second phase of the CVR exercise.
He assured that the ADC would mobilise and sensitise its members in the state to participate actively in the exercise.
Former Senate Leader and Oyo State Ambassador for Renewed Hope, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms will lay a strong foundation for long-term national growth.
He stated this on Monday during the ongoing 14-Federal Constituency Tour jointly organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with Oyo All Progressives Congress(APC), at Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East and Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies.
Folarin noted that the ongoing reform agenda is necessary to stabilise the economy, stressing that effective communication of these reforms at the grassroots level would be critical to winning public understanding and sustained support.
He stated that the federal constituency tour was designed to strengthen internal cohesion, rebuild confidence within party structures, and lay a solid foundation for early and disciplined mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Ibadan is the political nerve centre of the South-West. Oyo state proved its strength in 2023 by giving the president the highest differential votes nationwide.
“In 2027, we are ready to raise the bar and deliver record votes for Mr. President.
“Leaders of the APC in Oyo state have resolved to mobilise a record number of votes for the president in the 2027 general elections, signalling an early and coordinated consolidation of party structures across the state,” Folarin said.
The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, emphasised the importance of unity, early reconciliation, and disciplined mobilisation.
He noted that electoral success depends on consistent engagement at ward and polling unit levels, rather than last minute campaigns.
The Oyo State Chairman of the APC, Olayide Abas, called for intensified voter education, continuous voter registration, and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the next general elections.
Former First Lady of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi, urged party leaders and supporters to remain united, stressing that cohesion and discipline were vital to sustaining the APC’s strength in the state.
She said the engagements provided an opportunity to reconnect with the grassroots and consolidate support for the president ahead of 2027.
A gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Adewale Kareem, described the federal constituency tour as timely, noting that it had helped to rebuild confidence within party structures.
He called for sustained mobilisation and voter education, adding that the unity of stakeholders and early preparation would be key to securing victory for the president in the 2027 general elections.
APC chieftains at the event included Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Sen. Femi Lanlehin, Sen. Ayo Adeseun, Sen. Hosea Agboola, Sen. Kola Balogun, and other key party stakeholders.
Others were Hon. Remi Oseni, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Barrister Akeem Agbaje among others.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has condemned the attack on the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Ehizojie Abumere II, by protesters in Ekpoma.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Patrick Ebojele, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Monday in Benin.
The governor’s condemnation came after he visited the palace to personally assess the damage allegedly caused by the protesters.
The protesters had allegedly invaded the palace under the guise of expressing grievances over insecurity.
Okpebholo was accompanied by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), state chairman and other party stakeholders.
According to the statement, vehicles within the palace compound were vandalised, while canopies and chairs were broken. Cartons of Indomie noodles belonging to Onojie’s wife, who trades in the product, were also destroyed.
Doors and windows of the palace were also damaged.
Okpebholo described the invasion of the palace and the looting of property as criminal and unacceptable, stressing that protests must never be used as an excuse for lawlessness.
He disclosed that a security meeting was held earlier in the week with a strong focus on Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly the Ekpoma axis.
Okpebholo added that the government had rolled out strategic, technology-driven security operations.
The Governor warned that those who hijacked the protest to vandalise the palace and loot property would be brought to justice.
“I want to thank Your Highness for the love you have shown to me and our people over the years.
“They came under the guise of protest and sentiments, then resorted to looting and violence. This is unacceptable.
“We will go after them the same way we are going after kidnappers. Nobody should test our patience.
“I am an Esan man and I got my highest votes here in Ekpoma. I will not allow bad things to happen in this land. In the coming days, our actions will speak for themselves. Nobody involved in this criminality will be spared,” he said.
He assured the traditional ruler and the people of Ekpoma that decisive security operations were imminent.
He noted that peace, law, and order would be fully restored in the community and across Edo Central.
The Onojie Abumere II, described the incident as unfortunate, alleging that many of the protesters were under the influence of illicit drugs.
“What transpired was very sad. Many of them were under the influence of drugs. If not for God’s intervention, something worse would have happened,” he said.
He explained that he attempted to address the protesters when they first arrived but was prevented from doing so.
According to him, the protesters later returned while he was away attending a security meeting with other traditional rulers, forced their way into the palace, and unleashed violence.
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