Oyo APC slams Makinde over introduction of entertainment taxes

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has faulted the state government’s reported introduction of new taxes on sponsors and organisers of social events, describing the move as anti-people and ill-timed.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the party urged Governor Seyi Makinde to immediately reverse what it called an “ill-conceived and insensitive policy.” It said the levy would further worsen the economic burden already weighing heavily on residents.

The APC said the introduction of the entertainment tax reflects poor governance and disregard for the economic realities facing the people. “This is akin to pushing citizens to the wall at a time when the nation’s fragile economy is biting hard,” the party stated.

It further lauded the Federal Government for directing the Oyo State Government to vacate some landed properties allegedly hijacked and sold by the Makinde administration since 2019, saying the move vindicates its long-standing position on alleged land-grabbing by the state government.

According to Sadare, the Federal Ministry of Housing recently asked the state government to relinquish control of federal lands and properties in Ibadan and Saki. He claimed the directive confirmed that Governor Makinde had been involved in “abuse of office and illegal acquisition of government lands.”

The opposition party recalled that it had earlier warned against the alleged encroachment on properties belonging to institutions such as ARCEDEM, NIHORT, and Radio Nigeria in Ibadan. It urged the state government to comply with the federal directive without resistance.

Reiterating its call for a policy reversal, the APC said civil servants, artisans, traders, and transport operators in Oyo are already overburdened with multiple taxes. It warned that the entertainment levy would only deepen hardship and frustrate the people.