Nigerian government denies approval of salary increase for political office holders

The Nigerian Government has denied any approval in salary increase for political and judicial office holders, however, did not deny that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) made such a proposal, but said it could not come into effect unless approved by the president.

Penpushing reports that the spokesperson for the President, Dele Alake, made the denial in a statement in reaction 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.

‘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’, Alake wrote

‘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’, he added.

‘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’, Alake said.

‘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’, he stated.

‘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’.

Penpushing further reports that the Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, however, enjoined journalists to, at all times, cross-check their stories to ensure accurate reportage, which is the hallmark of responsible journalism.

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