The Oyo state government has denied reports circulating on social media that it imposed an entertainment tax clearance permit on events including weddings, burials, and naming ceremonies.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement on Thursday, described the claim as fake, insisting that the publication was designed to mislead residents and tarnish the image of the state government.
The commissioner explained that the alleged tax notice lacked the basic elements of an official government document, such as a revenue code, the signature of the Chairman of the Oyo State Internal Revenue Service (OYSIRS), and the agency’s official address.
“Any authentic levy or charge from the government must bear a valid revenue code and the chairman’s signature. None of these requirements was met in the document circulating online,” Oyelade clarified.
He urged residents to disregard the viral notice, warning that politically motivated actors may resort to falsehoods to discredit Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.
“We are aware that some individuals will spread misinformation to undermine the progress made in the last seven years. The public should ignore such attempts,” he added.
Oyelade also cautioned journalists, bloggers, and online platforms to verify information before publication, noting that professionalism and fact-checking were essential to responsible reporting.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and the welfare of residents.
“Governor Makinde remains focused on implementing policies and projects that improve lives across the state,” he said.
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