The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed allegations that 15% of workers’ salaries are deducted as tithes, labeling the claims as ‘false’ and ‘malicious’.
On Saturday, a report emerged citing Akwa Ibom payslips, suggesting that Governor Umo Eno imposes a compulsory tithe on personal assistants’ salaries, regardless of their church affiliations.
This report also challenged the governor’s previous assertion that no personal assistant earns less than ₦1 million monthly.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo, Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, characterized the claims as “a reckless fabrication, a deliberate falsehood, and a failed attempt to smear the image of the government and the Governor.”
Umanah clarified that the remittance forms mentioned in the report pertained solely to statutory PAYE tax deductions for specific categories of personal aides to the governor.
He further explained: “For the avoidance of doubt, there are various categories of aides to the Governor whose gross monthly salaries and allowances range from ₦200,000 to ₦1,432,000, including Honorary Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, Personal Assistants, and Project Supervisors. 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, is now being mischievously twisted to mean tithes. Tithes to whom, and for what, if we may ask?”
Umanah emphasized that a full Personal Assistant to the Governor earns no less than ₦1 million in salary and allowances, asserting that the deductions reflected in the alleged credit alert were statutory tax obligations, not tithes.
He mentioned that the matter is under investigation, with measures being taken to hold those responsible for the report accountable.
Umanah urged the public to disregard the false story and cautioned media organizations against disseminating unverified claims, warning that the government will pursue legal action against those spreading fake news.
