The Nigerian Presidency has debunked rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari has slashed salaries of his cabinet members in a manner that would fuel corruption among them.
Shehu Garba, spokesman for the president took to micro-blogging website, Twitter to debunk the rumour which was reported by The Nation on Saturday, November 28, 2015.
According to Garba, the content of the news reports are false and there was no letter to ministers slashing their salaries.
A letter, purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, saying that ministers are displeased with Buhari over the austere salaries they are to receive, has been circulating on social media. The letter has led to reports that Buhari has slashed the salaries and entitlements of the ministers. However,
Garba Shehu said: “President Buhari has not tampered with the salaries and allowances of Federal Ministers. They remain as they have been prescribed by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission under a law passed in 2008.”
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1. President @MBuhari has not tampered with the salaries and allowances of Federal Ministers.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 28, 2015
2. They remain as they have been prescribed by the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission under a law passed in 2008.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 28, 2015
3. The President and the Vice President have voluntarily offered a 50 percent salary cut.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 28, 2015
4. This is voluntary and does not apply to Ministers and other political appointees.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 28, 2015
5. Reports to the effect that the President has imposed an austere package on the ministers are unknown to us.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 28, 2015
6. The administration has not tampered with the salaries of ministers and that remain as prescribed under the law.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) November 28, 2015
Soon after assuming office, President Buhari said he and his vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo would take only half of the salaries they are entitled to by law.
The annual salary of Nigeria’s president is 14,058,820 naira ($70,000, 63,500 euros), including allowances, according to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
