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FG denies plan to increase Tinubu, Shettima and others’ salaries by 114%

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2023

The Federal Government has denied claims making the rounds on a purported 114 percent pay rise for governors, judges, and political aides.

On Wednesday night, reports had it that the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, (RMAFC), Muhammad Shehu, said the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders would be increased by 114 percent.

Sheu who was represented by a federal commissioner in the commission, Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba was said to have disclosed the development while presenting the reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

He said the move was in accordance with the provision of paragraph 32(d) of part 1 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Government (as amended).

He advised the Houses of Assembly in the states to move quickly on the amendment of relevant laws to pave way for upward review of income packages for political, judicial and public officers.

He said the last remuneration review was conducted in 2007, adding that it culminated in the “certain political, public and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008”.

Tanko-Ayuba said: “Sixteen years after the last review, it is imperative that the remuneration packages for the categories of the office holders mentioned in relevant sections of the 1999 constitution (as amended) be reviewed.

RMAFC is saddled with the responsibility of determining the remuneration appropriate for political officeholders including the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators and the holders of the offices as mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of this Constitution.

However, spokesman of the commission, Mr Chris Chukwu, dismissed his boss’ claim that a 114 percent salary increase had been effected for the President and other public office holders.

“There is a process that must be followed for such salary review. That process has not been undertaken,” he explained.

According to him, to review salaries of public office holders, the commission can only make a recommendation to the president who will submit it to the National Assembly in form of a bill.

He added that after passing such a bill, it would then be sent to the president to sign it into law for the review to become effective.

Similarly, Dada Olusegun, Special Adviser on Digital Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has denied claims making the rounds on a purported 114 percent pay rise for governors, judges and political aides.

Olusegun disclosed this on Wednesday night through his official Twitter handle.

“Ignore the lies from certain media outlets claiming the FG approved a 114 per cent salary increase for political aides. Fake news cannot and will never win”, he wrote.