President Bola Tinubu has not approved a salary review for political office holders and judicial officers, the Presidency has said.
Dele Alake, the special adviser to the president on special duties, communications and strategy made this known in a statement issued on Thursday.
He said though it is within the constitutional duty of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to review and increase remuneration, the news of the increase at this time is fake.
Alake, a spokesperson for the president, was reacting to a statement credited to an official of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) that a 114 per cent salary increase has been approved for political office holders.
Mr Alake did not deny that the RMAFC made such a proposal but said it could not come into effect unless approved by the president.
“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.”
Many Nigerians have criticised the proposal at a time citizens are being asked to adjust to increased prices of goods and services as a result of government policies such as the removal of subsidy on petrol.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
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.
