The Presidency yesterday debunked reports of a 114 per cent pay rise for public servants, including the President and the Vice President.
It described the reports as fake news targeted at slowing down the huge approval ratings of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
The reports had also claimed that the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Shehu, announced the salaries increase while presenting reports on reviewed remuneration packages to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris on Tuesday.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, the Presidency said: “We have followed with consternation the viral story of the purported 114 per cent 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 (RMAFC) 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.
“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.
“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.”
-Thenation
