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NIGERIA — Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau to publish his asset declaration as well as his Vice, Kashim Shettima, ministers, state governors, and local government chairpersons, to do the same.
In a letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP commended Tinubu for his statement during his first presidential media chat, where he expressed willingness to consider asking the CCB to release his assets.
SERAP described the President’s position as a “significant development” that demonstrates “intent, willingness, and commitment to leadership on transparency.”
In the letter, SERAP emphasised that publishing asset declarations would curb corruption by limiting opportunities for public officials to abuse their positions.
According to the letter, SERAP said, “Secrecy in the assets declared by high-ranking public officials to the CCB continues to facilitate corruption at all levels of government, especially in the country’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and local governments.
“Transparency and openness would also increase public confidence in the integrity of high-ranking public officials and ensure that political authorities are honest when they provide services to the people,” it added.
SERAP told Tinubu that, “Your ‘consideration’ would carry more weight if you were to promptly translate the intent into action by asking the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers, and other officials to do the same.”
The organisation also urged Tinubu to implement the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, ruling, which prohibited state governors from taking over local government funds, noting that many governors continue to disregard the judgment.
“Your intent, willingness, and expressed commitment to promote transparency in asset declarations should include prioritising the immediate and effective implementation of the Supreme Court judgment and holding state governors to account for contempt of court,” SERAP said.
“The immediate and effective implementation of the Supreme Court judgment is the best antidote for reducing cases of state-level corruption and would contribute to addressing allegations of diversion of local government funds needed for vital public services,” it added.
