Dele Alake
By Jon Egie
The federal government has debunked media reports asserting that the salaries of President Bola Tinubu, his vice Kashim Shettima, governors and other elected officers as well as members of the judiciary have been increased by 114 per cent.
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A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, Mr Dele Alake described the viral news of the increment as false saying President Tinubu has not given approval for such increment and that the misinformation was obviously contrived to create illwill for the new government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and hence, enjoined media practitioners to always cross check their stories to ensure accurate reportage.
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He said: ” 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.
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” While we recognise that it is within the constitutional remit of the 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.
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” However, this unfounded story gained prominence on social media and in a section of mainstream media, again, bringing to the fore the danger fake news poses to society and our national well-being.
“The misinformation was, obviously, contrived to create an ill will for the new administration and 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.
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” 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.”
