The federal government has denied rumours of a 114 percent pay increase for governors, judges, and political aides.
According to reports, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Muhammad Shehu, said on Wednesday night that the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders would be increased by 114%.
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Sheu, who was represented in the commission by Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba, a federal commissioner, was said to have disclosed the development while presenting the reports of the reviewed remuneration package to Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.
He stated that the move was in accordance with the provision of paragraph 32(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the Federal Government’s 1999 constitution (as amended).
He urged state legislatures to amend relevant laws as soon as possible to allow for an upward review of pay packages for political, judicial, and public officials.
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He stated that the most recent remuneration review took place in 2007, and that it resulted in the “certain political, public, and judicial office holders (salaries and allowances, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2008.”
“Sixteen years after the last review, it is essential that the remuneration packages for the categories of office holders mentioned in relevant sections of the 1999 constitution (as amended) be reviewed,” Tanko-Ayuba said.
RMAFC is tasked with determining the appropriate remuneration for political officeholders such as the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Legislators, and those mentioned in Sections 84 and 124 of this Constitution.
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Mr Chris Chukwu, the commission’s spokesman, however, dismissed his boss’ claim that the President and other public office holders had received a 114 percent pay increase.
“For such salary reviews, a procedure must be followed. “That process has not been initiated,” he stated.
According to him, the commission can only make a recommendation to the president, who will then submit it to the National Assembly in the form of a bill.
He went on to say that once such a bill was passed, it would be sent to the president to be signed into law in order for the review to take effect.
Similarly, Dada Olusegun, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Digital Media, has denied reports of a 114 percent pay increase for governors, judges, and political aides.
Olusegun made the announcement on Wednesday night via his official Twitter account.
“Ignore the lies spread by certain media outlets claiming that the FG approved a 114% pay increase for political aides. “Fake news cannot and will not triumph,” he wrote.
