The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to request the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish his asset declaration.
SERAP also urged the President to encourage Vice President Kashim Shettima, federal ministers, National Assembly leaders, state governors, and chairpersons of Nigeria’s 774 local governments to follow suit.
During his first Presidential Media Chat last Monday, Tinubu hinted that he might ask the CCB to disclose his assets.
In a letter dated December 28, 2024, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP welcomed Tinubu’s comments, describing them as a positive signal of his willingness to prioritize transparency and accountability.
“However, your ‘consideration’ would carry more weight if promptly translated into action by formally asking the CCB to publish your assets. This action should also extend to encouraging other high-ranking officials to do the same,” SERAP stated.
The organization argued that the secrecy surrounding asset declarations by public officials facilitates corruption at all levels of government, from federal ministries and agencies to local governments.
SERAP emphasized that lack of transparency creates opportunities for the misuse of public funds, urging the President to take decisive action to curb corruption.
The letter also highlighted the need for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, ruling barring state governors from controlling local government funds, stressing that transparency in asset declaration is vital to rebuilding public trust.
“By asking the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging other officials to do the same, you would promote transparency and accountability while fostering public confidence in governance,” the letter concluded.
