Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, says President Bola Tinubu has not approved a salary review for political office holders and judicial officers.
Alake, in a statement on Thursday, said while it is the constitutional duty of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to review and increase remuneration, news circulating about such an increase is fake.
On Wednesday, RMAFC Chairman, Muhammad Shehu, had on Wednesday said the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders will be increased by 114 percent.
Shehu had said the move was in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
He said the legislature should move quickly on the amendment of relevant laws to pave the way for an upward review of income packages for the aforementioned political and public office holders.
But the development attracted instant and widespread criticisms from Nigerians, as many interpreted it to mean that the salaries of politicians have been increased, especially at a time when ordinary Nigerians are being told to endure economic hardship for a better tomorrow.
RMAFC spokesperson, Christian Nwachukwu, said it’s untrue that the commission had approved the increment of salaries for public office holders.
He stated that the issue is only under review.
Alake, in his reaction to the development, said no such proposal has been brought to the President for consideration.
The presidential spokesperson stated, “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.
“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 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.”
