Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to mark the anniversary of his first year in office by publicly disclosing his assets.
SERAP urged the President to utilize this occasion as an opportunity to showcase his professed dedication to democracy, accountability, and transparency in governance.
Furthermore, the organization urged Tinubu to encourage his Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and state governors to follow suit by widely publishing their assets declaration forms.
In addition to these steps, SERAP emphasized the need for urgent action in proposing a constitutional amendment. This amendment would entail provisions for the establishment of asset declaration databases, facilitating the publication of government officials’ asset declarations both before, during, and after their tenure in public office.
In the open letter dated 25 May 2024 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Widely publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers, and state governors to also widely publish their assets would serve legitimate public interests.”
SERAP said: “Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging others to do so would also promote public trust and establish a system of transparency, accountability and public participation.”
According to SERAP, “Openness and transparency in the details of asset declaration forms of high-level public officials would strengthen the country’s democracy and promote accountability at all levels of government.
The letter read in part: “You promised in your inaugural speech on May 29, 2023 ‘to take proactive steps to discourage corruption’, and to ensure that ‘Nigeria is impartially governed according to the constitution and the rule of law.
“We urge you to use your first anniversary in office as an important opportunity to underscore and reaffirm your oft-repeated commitment to democratic governance, openness and public accountability by immediately taking concrete steps to implement the proposed recommendations.”
