ASHENEWS reports that the Presidency has reacted to the 114 percent salary increase comment linked to a Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba.
Tanko-Ayuba had, when she represented the chairman of the Commission at a report presentation in Kebbi, revealed that judicial officers, political office holders, and lawmakers, will received 114 percent increase in their salaries.
But on Wednesday, in a chat with the LEADERSHIP newspaper reporter, the spokesperson the Commission, explained that the salary increase was only a proposal which had not been approved by President Bola Ahmed.
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Also reacting on the development, the Presidency said Tinubu had not approved any salary increase.
According to the Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, Dele Alake on Thursday, “no such proposal has been brought before him for consideration.
“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.”
Read the statement below:
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 cannot 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.
