By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Akwa Ibom State Government has vehemently rejected claims that about 15% of workers’ monthly salaries are deducted as tithe.
It, also, reaffirmed its earlier claims that no Governor’s personal Assistants and Aides receive less than one million Naira as monthly emolument.
A statement on Sunday, August 31, 2026, from the State’s Commissioner for Information, Hon Aniekan Umanna, described as ” a reckless fabrication, deliberate falsehood, and a failed attempt to smear Government’s image, a publication by an online media outfit–Sahara Reporters alleging deductions from workers wages for the purpose of payment of “tithes”.
According to the Commissioner, the Online media outfit had accused the State Governor, Dr Umo Eno, of approving the deduction of 15 per cent of workers monthly salaries as tithe.
However, Umanna expressed serious disappointment with the Sahara Reporters’ publication, further describing it as a ” baseless claim, totally unbecoming, and which also raises serious questions about the standard of journalism being practiced by a section of the media.
“The Publication mischievously displayed a screenshot of a remittance from alongside a shaded copy of a letter purportedly from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG .
“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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there are various categories of Aides to the Governor whose monthly gross salary structure ranges from N200,000 to N1,432 000.
“These include: Honorary Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants ( SA I &SA 2) Personal Assistants ( PA PA I ,PA 2/Ward PAs PA 3 ,PA,4 ) and Project Supervisors .
“However ,in line with the Governor’s statement at a recent Town square 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.
“It must be emphasized that the deduction reflected in the purported credit alert is 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 anytime since the administration of Governor Umo Eno came on board” Umanna stated .
While viewing the said publication as mischievous, irresponsible ,and ill-motivated, the State Government urged members of the public to disregard the story.
However, while the statement noted that the matter is already under investigation, it also assured that appropriate steps will be taken to bring to book those behind the malicious falsehood.
“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”, the Commissioner added.
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