The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publicly disclose his declared assets. The group also urged the President to encourage Vice President Kashim Shettima, ministers, state governors, and leaders of the National Assembly to follow suit.
This appeal was made in a press release shared on Sunday, dated December 28, 2024, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP’s Deputy Director.
SERAP commended President Tinubu for his recent comments during his first Presidential Media Chat, where he suggested the possibility of requesting the CCB to release his asset declarations.
“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 emphasized the importance of swift action, noting that such a decision would carry more weight if quickly followed by official 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 urged.
The group pointed to the negative impact of secrecy surrounding asset declarations by public officials, describing it as a key driver of corruption across all government levels.
“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 stated.
SERAP also linked transparency in asset declarations to the Supreme Court’s ruling on July 11, 2024, which prevented state governors from seizing local government funds. The group urged the President to ensure the enforcement of 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,” the letter read.
Despite the ruling, SERAP noted that some state governors are still reportedly diverting local government funds, stressing the need for urgent enforcement to combat corruption and ensure funds reach their intended purposes.
“Your expressed commitment to transparency should include holding governors accountable for contempt of court if they persist in disobeying the Supreme Court judgment,” the organization added.
The letter underscored the broader implications of corruption, which it described as a fundamental threat to Nigeria’s democracy. “Corruption is one of the greatest challenges to improving Nigeria’s democracy and rebuilding a transparent, accountable, and participatory system of governance,” SERAP argued. “One way corrupt politicians perpetuate corruption is through hiding assets.”
SERAP also cited several legal provisions mandating asset declarations, 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.
“The Nigerian Constitution recognises the public’s right to access details of assets declared by public officials,” the group emphasized, referencing specific sections of the Constitution.
Finally, SERAP expressed hope that President Tinubu’s leadership would set a precedent for greater transparency and accountability across 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,” the organization concluded.
