President Bola Tinubu has reacted to media reports about a 114% increase in his salary and that of Vice President Kasim Shettima, elected federal and state political office holders and judicial officers.
The president spoke through a statement by his special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy Dele Alake.
According to Mr Alake, “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 also addressed statements made by some officials of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) about a purported increase in the salary of public officials.
“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.
“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,” Alake said.
He also addressed media platforms (Qed.ng not included) who reported the salary increase, saying the prominence it got on social media and in a section of mainstream media represents the danger fake news poses to the society and Nigeria’s 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,” Alake concluded.
