LunagisthubAkwa Ibom Government Sets the Record Straight: A Response to False Claims
The Akwa Ibom State Government has come out strongly to deny allegations of Governor Umo Eno paying tithes from his staff’s salaries. The Commissioner for Information, Umanah Ekanem, described the report as “a reckless fabrication, a deliberate falsehood, and a failed attempt to smear the image of the government.”
According to Umanah, the report incorrectly displayed a remittance form alongside a letter purportedly from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. However, upon verification, it was found that the letter related only to the remuneration of certain categories of personal aides to the Governor, who are political appointees and reflect statutory PAYE tax deductions.
The Commissioner clarified that the gross monthly salaries and allowances of the Governor’s aides range from ₦200,000 to ₦1,432,000. He also stated that a full Personal Assistant to the Governor earns not less than ₦1 million in salary and allowances monthly.
Umanah emphasized that the deductions reflected in the alleged credit alert were statutory tax obligations, not tithes. He pointed out that every worker in Akwa Ibom State, whether an appointee or a civil servant, pays taxes, and private sector workers also remit their PAYE taxes to the State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS).
The Government has assured the public that the matter is under investigation, and those behind the report will be held accountable. The Commissioner urged members of the public to disregard the story in its entirety and cautioned media organizations against peddling unverified stories.
The Akwa Ibom State Government’s response to these false claims serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. It also highlights the need for media organizations to verify information before publishing it to avoid spreading misinformation.
What do you think about the government’s response to these allegations? Do you think the media should be more responsible in their reporting?
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