Akwa Ibom Government Reacts to Sahara Reporters’ Claim of 15% ‘Tithe’ Deduction
The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected a report by Sahara Reporters which alleged that 15% of the salaries of political appointees were being deducted as tithe.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, described the report as “malicious and misleading,” insisting that no such practice exists. He said the allegation was a fabrication aimed at damaging the image of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
According to the government, the documents published by Sahara Reporters relate strictly to the remuneration of certain categories of personal aides to the governor, not to deductions for religious purposes. Umanah further clarified that what appeared in the credit alerts was statutory tax, which all workers in the state, including civil servants and appointees, are obligated to pay.
He stressed that there was no evidence that any portion of salaries had ever been remitted as tithe, adding that the claim was “a deliberate falsehood.” The government said it viewed the report as irresponsible and mischievous, and that investigations were underway to identify those behind it.
The statement urged the public to disregard the story, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to transparency and workers’ welfare. It also cautioned Sahara Reporters and other media organisations against publishing unverified stories, warning that legal action could be taken against purveyors of false information.
