In response to the widespread news regarding the 114% salary increase for the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders, and judicial officers, the Federal Government has issued clarifications.
Abujapress reports that in a statement by Dele Alake, the Special Adviser for Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, the government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stated that the president has approved no salary increase.
Furthermore, no such proposal has been presented to him for consideration, the statement notified.
The government acknowledged that proposing and determining the salaries and allowances of political office holders and judicial officers lies within the constitutional mandate of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission. However, any such changes can only come into effect once they have been duly considered and approved by the President.
The full statement reads:
STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
NO PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL FOR SALARY INCREASE FOR POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS
We have followed with consternation the viral story of the purported 114% increase in the salary of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders and judicial officers.
We state without any equivocation that President Bola Tinubu has not approved any salary increase, and no such proposal has been brought before him for consideration.
While we recognise that it is within the constitutional remit of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to propose and fix salaries and allowances of political office holders and Judicial Officers, such can not come to effect until it has equally been considered and approved by the President.
It is important to note that RMAFC, through its Public Relations Manager, has responded to this fake story being circulated and has already set the record straight.
However, that this unfounded story gained prominence on social media and in a section of mainstream media, again, brings to the fore the danger fake news poses to the society and our national well-being. The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create ill-will for the new administration, slow down the upward momentum and massive goodwill the Tinubu-led administration is currently enjoying among Nigerians as a result of its fast paced, dynamic and progressive policies.
It is important to reiterate to journalists, media managers, and members of the public that stories on government activities and policy issues that do not emanate from approved official communication channels should be ignored.
Media practitioners are enjoined to, at all times, cross-check their stories to ensure accurate reportage, which is the hallmark of responsible journalism.
Dele Alake
Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy
June 22, 2023
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