Akwa Ibom Govt Denounces False Report By Sahara Reporters on 15% ‘Tithe’ Deduction from Salaries of Political Appointees

Uyo, 31ST August, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

Akwa Ibom Govt Denounces False Report By Sahara Reporters on 15% ‘Tithe’ Deduction from Salaries of Political Appointees

1. The attention of the Government of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to a malicious and misleading report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the State Government deducts 15% from workers’ salaries as tithe. This is a reckless fabrication, a deliberate falsehood, and a failed attempt to smear the image of the Government and mislead the public. Linking the name of Governor Umo Eno to such a baseless claim is totally unbecoming and raises serious questions about the standard of journalism Sahara Reporters practices.

2. The publication mischievously displayed a screenshot of a remittance form alongside a shaded copy of a letter purportedly from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Upon verification, it is clear that the document relates strictly to the remuneration of certain categories of Personal Aides to the Governor, who are political appointees.

3. For the avoidance of doubt, there are various categories of Aides to the Governor whose monthly gross salary structure ranges from ₦200,000 to ₦1,432,000. These include:
• Honorary Special Advisers
• Senior Special Assistants
• Special Assistants (SA1 & SA2)
• Personal Assistants (PA, PA1, PA2/Ward PAs, PA3, PA4)
• Project Supervisors
*However, in line with the Governor’s statement at a recent Townsquare meeting in Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, a full Personal Assistant to the Governor does not receive less than one million naira in salary and allowances per month.*

4. It must be emphasized that the deduction reflected in the purported credit alert is a statutory tax. Every worker in Akwa Ibom State, whether an appointee or a civil servant, pays taxes. Similarly, private sector workers also remit their PAYE taxes to the State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS). One wonders why the routine payment of tax, which is a constitutional responsibility of every citizen and is deducted at source from employees or appointees, is now being mischievously twisted to mean “tithes.” Tithes to who, and for what, if we may ask? We challenge anyone to provide even a single piece of evidence of remittance of funds from government for such a purpose at any time since the administration of Governor Umo Eno came on board.

5. The Government of Akwa Ibom State views this publication as mischievous, irresponsible, and ill-motivated. The matter is already under investigation, and appropriate steps will be taken to bring to book those behind this malicious falsehood.

6. We therefore urge the public to disregard this baseless story in its entirety. The Akwa Ibom State Government remains unwavering in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the welfare of all workers, and will not be distracted by desperate attempts to distort the truth.

7. Finally, we caution Sahara Reporters and other media outlets against peddling unverified stories. The Government will not hesitate to take every legal measure necessary to hold purveyors of fake news accountable.

Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah
Commissioner for Information