June 22, (THEWILL) – The Presidency has dismissed reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recommendation by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for a 114% increase in the salary of political office holders and judicial officers.
A statement issued on Thursday, by Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, said President Bola Tinubu has not received the proposal for consideration.
While Alake considered the proposal for a salary increase as a legitimate authority of the RMAFC, it urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour that such a proposal has been approved by the President.
The statement reads: “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 (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, 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.”
