The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate transparency by asking the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to make his asset declaration public.
In addition, the organization urged Tinubu to encourage Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, National Assembly leaders, state governors, and local government chairpersons across the country to follow suit.
During his first Presidential Media Chat last Monday, Tinubu stated that he might request the CCB to disclose his declared assets. In a letter dated December 28, 2024, and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP expressed support for this potential move, describing it as a strong indication of Tinubu’s commitment to leadership and accountability.
However, SERAP emphasized that Tinubu’s promise would carry greater significance if he acted promptly to turn his intentions into reality. The group argued that making asset declarations public is essential for tackling corruption across all levels of government.
“The secrecy surrounding asset declarations by high-ranking officials facilitates corruption in the 36 states, Federal Capital Territory, federal agencies, and local governments,” SERAP noted in its letter. It stressed that openness would reduce opportunities for the misuse of public funds.
The letter further noted that “asking the CCB to publish Tinubu’s assets and encouraging the vice-president, ministers, the leadership of the National Assembly and state governors, as well as the chairmen of local governments, to also ask the CCB to publish their assets would promote and ensure public trust, transparency and accountability”.
