Hamzat Vows to Crush Roadside Extortion, Harmonize Taxes

​The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate and incumbent Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has committed to dismantling unauthorized roadside revenue collection systems and streamlining multiple taxation policies across the state.

​Speaking during a high-level town hall meeting in Lagos, Hamzat addressed longstanding grievances concerning the arbitrary exactions faced by commercial transport operators, widely known as danfo drivers, and local businesses. He emphasized that transit workers are subjected to burdensome, ad-hoc levies by roadside agents—commonly referred to as agbero—at multiple points along their daily routes, a practice his administration intends to permanently halt.

​To resolve overlapping jurisdictions and conflicting tax demands between state and local government authorities, Hamzat proposed the creation of a dedicated State Economic Council. This body will directly coordinate revenue strategies with local council leadership to harmonize levies and eliminate unauthorized junction collections.

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​“One of the things we will create is a State Economic Council where, as a government, we meet with all local governments to streamline the process,” Hamzat explained. “We know they are independent, but we are attending to the same citizens. No one should stand at junctions collecting anything from anybody”.

​Reiterating his administration’s vision for a predictable business environment, the governorship hopeful noted that commercial operators who fulfill their statutory financial obligations must be shielded from further harassment.

​“Businesses must know what they are required to pay,” Hamzat added. “The moment they pay it, they must be left alone so we stop pulling the rug from under them”.