FG Denies Approving Salary Increase For Political Office Holders, Judicial Officers 

The federal government has denied the alleged 114% increase in the salary of the President, Vice President, elected Federal and State political office holders and judicial officers, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not signed or approved the planned increament.

The Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, Dele Alake, in a statement on Thursday, said President Bola Tinubu had not approved any salary increase, stressing that no such proposal had been brought before him for consideration. 

Alake escribed the reports in the media of the approval by the President, as fake story, reiterating that the important thing about the reports was that RMAFC's Public Relations Manager, had responded to the fake story being circulated and had already set the record straight. 

Alake reminded journalists, media managers, and members of the public to ignore any stories on government activities and policy issues that do not emanate from approved official communication channels.

The statement reads in full:

"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. 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."

Dele Alake 

Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications & Strategy 

June 22, 2023