Presidency: FG Has Not Approved Salary Increase for Political Office Holders, Judicial Officers

*Peter Obi says recommendation insensitive

Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The Presidency has reacted formally to the reported increase in salaries of the president, other political office holders and judicial officers in the country saying no approval had been given in this regard by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

This was just as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, faulted the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on its recommendation of a 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the president, vice president, governors, and lawmakers.
The RMAFC had on Wednesday, advanced reason for its recommendation for an upward review of political office holders in the country. The commission had recommended a 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected public officials, including President Bola Tinubu, his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, federal and state legislators, governors, as well as judicial officers.

This, however requires approval from the president and other cabinet members and thereafter it would be sent to the National Assembly through an executive bill for passage.
However, in a statement issued yesterday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake, the Presidency described the report as fake news being circulated by unscrupulous elements to create disaffection for the new government at the centre.
It stated that while it was within the purview of the RMAFC to propose and fix salaries and allowances of political office holders and judicial officers, such proposal would only be effective after presidential approval has been given.

The general public and the media in particular were, therefore, enjoined to henceforth disregard any information not coming from official government communication channels.
The release entitled: “No presidential approval for salary increase for political office holders and judicial officers”, stated, inter alia: “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 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 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.”
Meanwhile, Obi has faulted the RMAFC on the recommended pay hike, describing it as insensitive, especially coming at a time the country was still struggling with minimum wage with over 133 million Nigerians living in abject poverty.
Obi, in a tweet yesterday, noted that leaders and public officeholders should rather focus on cutting the cost of governance, alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.

“I learned with great reservation, the approval of a 114 per cent increase in the salaries of elected politicians, including the president, vice president, governors, lawmakers as well as judicial and public office holders by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.
“This is not the appropriate time for such a salary increment if it is at all necessary. We are living in a time when an average Nigerian is struggling with many harsh economic realities, and with over 130 million Nigerians now living in poverty. This is a moment when recent reform measures by the government have increased living costs astronomically.

“One would expect the leaders and public officeholders to focus on cutting the cost of governance, alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians.
“This moment calls for creative ways of pulling the majority out of poverty. In the immortal words of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, ‘What touches us ourself shall be last served.’

“The leaders, therefore, should prioritise what affects the masses and those on the lower strata of society over themselves. The sacrifice, at this time in our nation, should be borne by the leaders.
“The increment should be reversed immediately, and the savings should be devoted to fixing education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, especially in the remote rural areas.”