The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project(SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau to publish his declared assets.
SERAP also urged Tinubu to encourage Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, state governors, and National Assembly leaders to follow suit.
This was stated in a press release shared on Sunday but dated December 28, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organisation commended Tinubu for his recent statement during his first Presidential Media Chat, in which he indicated that he might request the CCB to release his assets.
“We welcome your reported decision to consider asking the CCB to publish your assets as a significant development and a signal of your intent, willingness, and commitment to show leadership on this important matter of public interest,” the letter read.
However, SERAP urged the President to act swiftly, stating that “consideration” would carry greater weight if promptly followed by directives.
“Your immediate action to request the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers, National Assembly leaders, state governors, and local government chairmen to do the same will promote public trust, transparency, and accountability,” SERAP stated.
The organisation highlighted the damaging effects of secrecy surrounding asset declarations by public officials, describing it as a major enabler of corruption across all levels of government.
“Secrecy in the assets declared by high-ranking public officials to the CCB continues to facilitate corruption in the country’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and within ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and local governments,” the letter emphasised.
SERAP also linked transparency in asset declarations to the Supreme Court ruling on July 11, 2024, which barred state governors from taking over local government funds.
The group urged Tinubu to enforce this ruling.
“Transparency and accountability at the state and local government levels won’t materialize without your push for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court decision,” SERAP added.
“Despite the judgment, several state governors reportedly continue to divert local government funds.”
The group stressed the urgency of enforcing the ruling to reduce corruption and ensure public funds earmarked for local governments are used for essential services.
“Your expressed commitment to transparency should include holding governors accountable for contempt of court if they persist in disobeying the Supreme Court judgment,” SERAP wrote.
The letter highlighted the broader implications of corruption, describing it as a fundamental threat to Nigeria’s democracy, eroding public trust and worsening economic hardship.
“Corruption is one of the greatest challenges to improving Nigeria’s democracy and rebuilding a transparent, accountable, and participatory system of governance,” the organisation noted.
“One way corrupt politicians perpetuate corruption is through hiding assets.”
SERAP referenced various legal provisions, including the Nigerian Constitution, the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which mandate asset declaration by public officials.
“The Nigerian Constitution recognizes the public’s right to access details of assets declared by public officials,” SERAP stressed, referencing paragraph 3(c) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule and paragraph 11 of the Fifth Schedule.
The organisation expressed hope that Tinubu’s leadership would set a precedent for transparency and accountability across all levels of government.
“We hope that these recommendations will guide your steps in asking the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging others to do the same,” SERAP stated.
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