Alake Debunks Salary Increment for Political Office Holders
The Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy to the President, Dele Alake has debunked claims that his principal, Bola Tinubu has approved salary reviews for elected politicians and judicial officers.
He noted this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the reports going rounds that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) approved a 114% increase in the salary of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and state political office holders and judicial officers was false.
“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,” Alake said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, Muhammad Shehu, had been quoted saying that the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders would be increased by 114 percent.
News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, had on Tuesday said Shehu stated this while presenting the reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.
His comments had since raised concerns which have been clarified.
Read Alake’s statement below
NO PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL FOR SALARY INCREASES 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 the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) 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, this unfounded story gained prominence on social media and in a section of mainstream media, again, bringing to the fore the danger fake news poses to society and our national well-being.
The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create ill will for the new administration and 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 to the President
Special Duties, Communications & Strategy
June 22, 2023
