…Says Misinformation Was Aimed At Creating ill Will For Tinubu Administration
The Federal Government has lent its voice by denying reports that the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders will be increased by 114 percent.
Recall, the false report went viral on Tuesday and Wednesday with many media outlets claiming that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said “the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders will be increased by 114 percent”.
The report as initially disseminated by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, quoted the chairman of RMAFC, Mr Muhammad Shehu, as saying “The move was in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution (as amended) while noting that the review of the remuneration packages was long overdue.”
However, the RMAFC, through its spokesperson, denied the claim on Wednesday night.
Also, the federal government through the Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy to President, Dele Alake on Thursday, rubbished the report adding that no proposal of such has been brought to the president’s table.
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 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 the society and our national well-being.”
Speaking further, Alake alleged the misinformation was formulated to create an ill will for the new Tinubu-led administration.
“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.
“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,” he said.
