Presidency Denies 114% Salaries’ Hike For Tinubu, VP, Judges, Others

BY EDMOND ODOK – Amid huge public outcry, the Presidency has denied allegations of giving official approval for the upward review of salaries for political office holders and judicial officers in the country.

Going public with the denial on Thursday, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, said; “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.”

In a statement titled; “NO PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL FOR SALARY INCREASE FOR POLITICAL OFFICE HOLDERS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS”, Alake further said; “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 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 society and our national well-being. The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create an 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.”

Specifically charging journalists to always cross-check their information to avoid fake news, the Presidential Media Aide further said; “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.”

The Presidency’s denial may have officially put to rest the controversy over the viral report to the effect that the government has approved a new payment template to reflect increased salaries for certain categories of political office holders and judicial officers.