In a surprising turn of events, reports surfaced early Thursday morning suggesting that President Tinubu had given his approval for a staggering 114% salary increase for political office holders and judicial officers. This news instantly sparked a wave of criticism from Nigerians who vehemently condemned the President’s alleged decision, accusing him of selfishness, and manipulation.
However, the Presidency swiftly responded to these claims through its Special Adviser for Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, vehemently refuting the reports as baseless and false. In an official statement, Alake made it clear that the Presidency was unaware of any such news and categorically denied granting approval for such a salary increase. He further asserted that these allegations were merely a fabrication propagated by the administration’s detractors with the intention of tarnishing its image.
“We are utterly dismayed by the widespread circulation of a viral story claiming a 114% raise in the salaries of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders, and judicial officers. Let it be known that President Bola Tinubu has not endorsed any salary increment, and no proposal of this nature has been presented to him for consideration. It is crucial to emphasize that until the President has duly reviewed and approved any suggested adjustments, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) holds the constitutional responsibility for proposing and determining the salaries and allowances of political office holders and Judicial Officers.”
Alake also highlighted that the RMAFC, through its Public Relations Manager, had already issued a response to these false claims, setting the record straight. Nonetheless, he expressed concern about the pervasive influence of fake news, which had led to the unwarranted prominence of this unfounded story on social media and in certain sections of the mainstream press. Alake suggested that this deliberate misinformation aimed to generate animosity towards the new administration, impede its upward trajectory, and undermine the substantial support and goodwill it currently enjoyed among Nigerians due to its proactive, dynamic, and progressive policies.
To address this issue, Alake emphasized the need for journalists, media managers, and the general public to disregard unofficial sources of information concerning government activities and policy matters. He urged media practitioners to consistently verify their sources and ensure accurate reporting, as responsible journalism should prioritize factual and verified news.
