The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to request the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish his assets.
SERAP also called on the President to encourage Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, leaders of the National Assembly, state governors, and chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local governments to do the same.
During his first Presidential Media Chat last Monday, Tinubu mentioned that he would consider asking the CCB to publish his assets.
In a letter dated December 28, 2024, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP welcomed the President’s decision as a sign of his intent and commitment to transparency.
SERAP emphasized that the President’s consideration would carry more weight if he promptly translated it into action by asking the CCB to publish his assets and encouraging other high-ranking officials to follow suit.
The organization noted that the secrecy in asset declarations facilitates corruption at all levels of government, particularly in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as local governments.
SERAP highlighted that the lack of transparency in asset declaration forms provides opportunities for the abuse of public funds for private gain. Acting on their recommendation would reduce these opportunities for corruption.
The letter also stressed that transparency and accountability in states and local governments would not be achieved without the President pushing for the immediate and effective implementation of the Supreme Court decision of July 11, 2024, which stops state governors from taking over local government funds.
The letter concluded by stating that asking the CCB to publish Tinubu’s assets and encouraging other officials to do the same would promote public trust, transparency, and accountability.
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.
