Politics
First Anniversary: SERAP Urges Tinubu To Publish His Assets
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to key into the first anniversary of his administration to publish his asset declaration form.
According a statement, the SERAP urged him “to encourage your Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms.”
In addition, the SERAP urged him “to urgently propose a constitutional amendment to include provisions on the creation of asset declaration database to publish government officials’ asset declaration forms before, during, and after serving in public office.”
This was contained in an open letter dated 25 May 2024 and signed by deputy director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation.
The SERAP stated, “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.
“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 the 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.”
“Transparency in the details of asset declaration forms would also enable Nigerians to scrutinise the forms and verify the financial situation of public officials and alert about possible conflicts of interest and corruption.”
“Asset declaration forms are a matter of public interest and your government ought to provide the leadership and encourage other high-ranking public officials to harness new technologies to publish the details of their asset declaration forms online and make the forms readily available to the public.”
“Corruption is one the greatest challenges to improving the country’s democracy and rebuilding a transparent, accountable and participatory system of governance. One way that corrupt politicians in the country have perpetuated corrupt practices is through hiding assets.”
“Transparency and openness would also increase public confidence in the integrity of high-ranking public officials and government generally, and ensure that political authorities are honest when they provide services to people.”
“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended]; and Nigeria’s international anticorruption and human rights obligations.”
“Information regarding the property and economic interests of public officials ought to be accessible to the public through a website created for this purpose.”
“Transparency in the details of asset declaration forms of high-level public officials would also promote citizens’ participation in the fight against corruption which in turn would increase the transparency of public administration and the citizens’ trust in the integrity of state institutions.”
“Those who voluntarily seek or occupy public offices and are catered for by the public have certain fiduciary duties to be open, transparent and accountable to the people regarding the details of their asset declaration forms.”
“Because asset declaration forms are public documents, public officials cannot claim that publishing their assets would violate their privacy rights.”
“There is an overriding public interest in the disclosure of information on the assets of public officers who clearly are trustees of Nigeria’s wealth and resources.”
“Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms would enable Nigerians to scrutinize the assets and worth of public officials before taking office and at the end of their term of office.”
“Publishing your asset declaration form and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers and state governors to also widely publish their asset declaration forms would also send a powerful message of your commitment to uphold the country’s constitutional guarantees and international obligations.”
“According to the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], all public officers are to declare their assets.”
“Paragraph 11(1)(a)(b) of the Fifth Schedule provides that every public officer shall immediately after taking office and thereafter (a) at the end of every four years; and (b) at the end of his/her term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.”
“Section 15(1) of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Tribunal Act also requires all public officers to declare their assets.”
“Article 7(1) of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and Articles 7(4) and 8(5) of the UN Convention against Corruption also contain similar provisions and requirements for public officials to declare their assets before, during, and after serving in public office.”
“The Nigerian Constitution and the anticorruption and human rights treaties show the significant role that asset declaration by public officials plays in promoting transparency, accountability and preventing and combating corruption in the public service.”
“Section 109 of the Evidence Act defines a public document to include documents forming the acts or records of the acts of public officers. Asset declaration forms kept with the Code of Conduct Bureau therefore qualify as public documents under section 109.”
“We hope that the aspects highlighted will help guide your steps in taking steps to publish your asset declaration form and to encourage others to do so.”
Real Madrid president Real Madrid has confirmed the return of José Mourinho after incumbent president Florentino Pérez secured a landslide victory in the club’s presidential election, extending his rule until 2030.
Pérez won re-election with a commanding 65% of the vote, defeating challenger Enrique Riquelme, who secured 35%, according to the club’s Electoral Board.
The result reinforces Pérez’s long-standing leadership, which has now spanned more than two decades across two separate terms.
SEE ALSO: Bruno Lage Sacked As Benfica Move To Secure Mourinho
Speaking after his victory, Pérez described the outcome as a strong endorsement of his vision for the club’s future, insisting that Real Madrid will continue to thrive both on and off the pitch.
The president also used the moment to confirm a major sporting development—the return of José Mourinho, a move that immediately sparked excitement among supporters.
Mourinho, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at the club, is widely regarded as one of the most influential managers in modern football.
Pérez said the club remains committed to competing at the highest level in Europe, with ambitions of securing a record-extending 16th UEFA Champions League title while continuing the redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
He also reaffirmed his stance on the club’s ownership model, stressing that Real Madrid will remain a member-owned institution despite growing global trends toward private ownership in football.
The announcement has been widely interpreted as the beginning of a new competitive era for the Spanish giants, with expectations rising among fans following both the election result and Mourinho’s return.
Pérez ended his address with a call for unity among supporters, including those who did not vote for him, promising to continue addressing concerns while focusing on sporting success.
The political rivalry between Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has escalated once again as both men exchanged heated words ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The confrontation follows renewed political realignments in Delta State, including Governor Oborevwori’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he previously defeated in the 2023 governorship election.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Tinubu Will Defeat Atiku If Election Is Rigged — Babachir
Oborevwori has since pledged full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing the President as his “number one project” and a key political ally whose victory would benefit Delta State.
However, Omo-Agege, who recently left the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accused the governor of political fear and abandoning party structures in the state.
“He is not a threat” — Oborevwori
Responding to criticisms, Governor Oborevwori dismissed Omo-Agege’s political relevance, insisting he poses no electoral threat.
“He is not a threat because I’ve won him before,” the governor said, adding that many of the senator’s supporters had already left him before his exit from the APC.
Oborevwori also accused Omo-Agege of political betrayal, claiming he had previously turned against key figures who supported his rise.
“He betrayed James Ibori, he betrayed Great Ogboru, he betrayed O’tega Emerhor. So if he says he wants to betray me, he’s not a threat,” he stated.
“He panicked and ran into APC” — Omo-Agege
Omo-Agege fired back, alleging that the governor defected to the APC out of fear of losing political ground.
“The governor panicked, chickened out, and ran into the APC,” he said.
He insisted that his performance in the 2023 elections proved his continued strength in Delta politics, particularly in Delta Central.
“If Sheriff believed I was not a threat, why didn’t he stay back in the PDP and take me on in 2027?” he asked.
Governance and ₦3.15 trillion controversy
Both politicians also clashed over governance performance and state finances.
Oborevwori defended his administration, saying infrastructure development had improved across all local government areas, with contractors being paid promptly.
“First time in history, no contractor is being owed,” he said, citing ongoing projects such as Effurun Roundabout, DSC Roundabout, and PTI Junction.
Omo-Agege, however, described the administration as underperforming despite receiving over ₦3.15 trillion in three years.
He alleged that about ₦750 billion remained idle in the Central Bank of Nigeria while critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure suffer neglect.
Tinubu vs Obi political divide deepens
The rivalry has also taken a national dimension, with both politicians backing different presidential candidates for 2027.
Oborevwori declared support for President Tinubu, calling him Delta’s “in-law” and urging residents to back his re-election.
“Tinubu is my number one project,” he said.
Omo-Agege, on the other hand, declared his support for former presidential candidate Peter Obi, stating that he would contest under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“My presidential candidate in 2027 is Peter Obi,” he said.
Political tensions rise ahead of 2027
Observers say the renewed exchange signals an early start to a high-stakes political battle in Delta State, with shifting alliances and competing loyalties likely to shape the 2027 elections.
With both camps firmly entrenched in opposing political directions, Delta State is expected to remain a major flashpoint in Nigeria’s unfolding political landscape.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would emerge victorious against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if the 2027 presidential election is determined by electoral manipulation.
Lawal made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where he weighed in on the growing political permutations ahead of the next general election.
According to him, no politician in Nigeria currently possesses the capacity to outmaneuver Tinubu if election rigging becomes the deciding factor in the race for Aso Rock.
ALSO READ: VDM in Trouble as Presidency Seeks Legal Action Over Alleged Fake Tinubu Audio
“If the parameter for winning elections in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu in this country. If Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, I wish him luck; he will meet the master rigger in front,” Lawal said.
The former SGF further argued that President Tinubu would record a landslide victory if the election outcome were determined by such means, describing the president as a formidable political strategist.
Lawal also took a swipe at Atiku Abubakar, distancing himself from the former vice president’s political ambition and insisting that he would not support his bid for the presidency.
He stated that after studying Atiku’s political history and leadership record, he believes an Atiku administration would perform worse than the current government led by Tinubu.
“I have studied his antecedents and realised that his presidency will be worse than Bola Tinubu’s,” he said.
The former SGF also criticised Atiku for what he described as insufficient engagement with Nigeria’s worsening security situation, including recurring cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in different parts of the country.
Despite his criticism of both Tinubu and Atiku, Lawal maintained that he is yet to endorse any presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 election.
“I am supporting nobody. I don’t want to be part of anything for now,” he stated.
His comments come shortly after his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he accused the party of manipulating its recent presidential primary in favour of Atiku.
Lawal alleged that results from the exercise were altered to produce a predetermined outcome, claiming that candidates who won in some areas were replaced by individuals loyal to the former vice president.
He said the alleged irregularities influenced his decision to leave the party, which he described as a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the ADC leadership has denied the allegations, insisting that the primary election was conducted transparently and reflected the wishes of party members.
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