By Abiola Olawale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to take the initiative of requesting the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish a comprehensive list of his declared assets.
In addition, SERAP also appealed to the President to encourage his Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, along with his ministers, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, and the chairpersons of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to follow suit and formally request the CCB to also disclose their assets.
The organisation said the appeal came after the president, during his first Presidential Media Chat last Monday, reportedly said, “I will consider asking the CCB to release my assets.”
In the letter dated 28 December 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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.
“But 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, leadership of the National Assembly and state governors, as well as the chairmen of local governments to do the same.
“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 federal ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs], as well as local governments.
“Secrecy in asset declaration forms provides the biggest opportunities for the abuse of public money for private gain. Acting as recommended would reduce the opportunities for corruption at all levels of government.”
