Politics
SERAP Urges Tinubu To Direct CCB To Publish President’s, VP’s, Others Assets
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to request the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish your assets and encourage your Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, as well as the chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local governments to also request the CCB to publish their assets.”
The president had during his first Presidential Media Chat last Monday reportedly said, “I will consider asking the CCB to release my assets.”
In the letter dated 28 December 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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.”
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The SERAP said, “But your ‘consideration’ would ‘carry more weight’ if you were to promptly translate the intent into action by asking the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging your Vice-President, ministers, leadership of the National Assembly and state governors, as well as the chairmen of local governments to do the same.”
According to the SERAP, “Secrecy in the assets declared by high-ranking public officials to the CCB continues to facilitate corruption at all levels of government, especially in the country’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and federal ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs], as well as local governments.”
The SERAP also said, “Secrecy in asset declaration forms also provides the biggest opportunities for the abuse of public money for private gain. Acting as recommended would reduce the opportunities for corruption at all levels of government.”
The letter, read in part: “However, transparency and accountability in the states and local governments won’t happen without you pushing for the immediate and effective implementation of the Supreme Court decision of 11 July 2024, stopping state governors from taking over local government funds.”
“Asking the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging your 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 the public trust, transparency and accountability.”
“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 the people.”
“Despite the Supreme Court decision, several state governors reportedly continue to take over local government funds.”
“Your intent, willingness and expressed commitment to promote transparency in asset declarations should include prioritising the immediate and effective implementation of the Supreme Court judgment and holding state governors to account for contempt of court, as they continue to blatantly disobey the judgment.”
“The immediate and effective implementation of the Supreme Court judgment is the best antidote for reducing cases of state-level corruption and would contribute to addressing the allegations of diversion of local government funds needed for vital public services.”
“Corruption continues to directly affect the lives and well-being of millions of Nigerians in several states, and to erode public trust in public institutions.”
“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.”
“There are widespread reports of corruption in several states of the federation, and federal ministries, agencies and departments [MDAs].”
“The best measure of a country’s progress toward transparency and accountability is a total obedience to the rule of law. The law ought to command the highest levels of respect by for example, the state governors immediately obeying the Supreme Court judgment and stop collecting and taking over local government funds.”
“Nigeria’s democracy ought to have as its foundation transparency, accountability and respect for the rule of law at all levels of government.”
“Treating the Supreme Court judgment with contempt is antithetical to any contemporary notion of the rule of law and democracy, and counter-productive to any efforts to hold state governors to account for their alleged misuse of public funds.”
“The Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] acknowledges the importance of citizens’ access to the details of assets filed with the CCB by public officers, as contained in Paragraph 3 (c) of Part 1 of its Third Schedule.”
“According to the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, contained in Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution, 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 CCB 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 to which Nigeria is a state party 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 these recommendations will help guide your steps in taking the necessary action to ask the CCB to publish your assets and to encourage your vice-president, ministers, the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors and chairmen of Nigeria’s 774 local governments to do the same.”
Politics
Tinubu Calls For African Credit Rating Agency
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Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared his strong support for an African-led credit rating agency (ACRA).
This was revealed in a statehouse statement on Sunday night, by the Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu, the statement has it, noted that it would provide fairer, more transparent credit assessments for African economies.
“An independent African-led rating agency will help provide fairer assessments of African economies and reduce the bias often observed in existing global rating agencies,” the President said.
President Tinubu commended the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Finance for their visionary leadership in advancing an African framework for financing development among member states.
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He noted that the Africa Financing Stability Mechanism (AFSM) is crucial as the continent continues to face significant challenges, including rising borrowing costs, debt overhang, low domestic resource mobilisation, and limited access to long-term affordable financing.
“The establishment of the AFSM underscores the collective commitment of member states in addressing financial vulnerabilities and fostering economic resilience across the continent.
“This mechanism is envisioned to support member states in achieving their national development objectives, and it will also help create economic opportunities for citizens,” he said.
The Nigerian leader acknowledged the significant progress made at the 5th Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, held in November 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, which reached key decisions.
“The adoption of the AFSM by member states is expected to enhance financial stability, strengthen resilience against external shocks, and provide a more coordinated approach to managing financial risks across the continent,” he said.
Politics
Edo Pitches EFFC Against Obaseki, PDP Leaders In N96bn LG Fraud
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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will prosecute the former governor Godwin Obaseki and some of the recently impeached Edo State Local Government chairmen.
He made the declaration over the weekend, explaining that they were indicted for looting the Local Government treasuries, running into over N95 billions.
Gov Okpebholo made the remarks when he received the report of the Administrative Panel of Enquiry set up on the 18th of December, 2024 to investigate the financial dealings of the impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State from 4th September, 2023 to November, 2024.
He disclosed that besides the impeached Local Government Chairmen who were indicted by the report, former governor Godwin Obaseki, leaders of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others, were also fingered.
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Expressing satisfaction with the committee for the professionalism with which it carried out its duty, Gov Okpebholo said, the days of financial recklessness and lack of transparency in public office were long over, as “Nigerians need to start demanding accountability from elected public office holders”, stressing that “it was the only way to fight corruption and ensure development.”
He expressed dismay at the findings of the report that implicated the impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen, vowed to petition the EFCC on the findings of the report for immediate prosecution.
Gov Okpebholo said, “I want to thank you for a job well done. I carefully listened to the submission of the report. The truth is that the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki took Edo people for granted. They took everything belonging to Edo people and channeled it for their personnel gains.
“We thank God for helping us to change the narrative to benefit Edo people. We also thank the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because without his support, we will not be witnessing the kind of development we are experiencing in Edo today.
“A lot has happened. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) looted the treasury of the Local Governments and stole our collective partrimony, and nobody went after them or took action. This time, things are different. We will go after them and retrieve what they have stolen from Edo people.
“They will be made to pay for it. I will personally take this document to the EFCC and ensure that justice is done for this wrong done to Edo people.”
Earlier, Chairman of the panel, Barr. Solomon Imohiosen, noted that findings and forensic investigations uncovered that huge sums amounting to N96 billion was either mismanaged and/or diverted to private accounts.
The panel observed that over N95 billion (N95,080,676,687.86) was received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) by the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen for the period investigated.
It, however, reported that the funds were not judiciously utilized as no meaningful projects were on the ground to justify the amount received.
Confirming fraudulent diversion of Local Government funds to political godfathers in the State, the panel reported that over N10 (10,433 658,452.00) was fraudulently siphoned, using the pseudo name, “Security, Environment and Training”, saying that the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen contributed to the account, using it as a conduit pipe to drain government resources, as money were transferred from there to various individuals and companies.
The panel, he added, faced different challenges during the course of the assignment, which included late submission of financial records by various Local Government Councils, incomplete submission of records, deliberate obstruction of the investigation by Council personnel who failed to comply on time, but brought hefty sacks as an after-thought to dazzle panel members.
“The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 Local Governments Councils. The recommendations outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in the Local Governments finances.”
He pointed out that the report indicted former ALGON chairman, Oghomwen Newman Ugiagbe, who used his hotel, Demarriots Hotels Limited, Ahonsi Ogiegbaen Osifo, Eric Agbonmwanre, Abraham Burma and Dickson Imasogie Notiemwenmwan to loot Local Government funds.
Politics
How Edo Is Executing Tinubu’s Education Blueprint – Okpebholo
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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has embarked on massive reconstruction, renovation and remodeling of over 100 schools across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
This is how the Gov Okpebholo administration is working out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s blueprint on education, he said in Benin City on Friday.
He pointed out that following the commitment and dedication of his administration to change the narrative in the education sector, another set of 120 schools are already earmarked for reconstruction, renovation and remodeling across the State.
Gov Okpebholo noted that the massive infrastructural development in the education sector marks the commitment of his government to ensuring that Edo children get the best facilities in terms of learning.
He added that his administration is achieving a lot in the education sector because it keyed into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
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In his words, “This is a demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You can see massive work is ongoing across schools in Edo State.
“I have visited several schools this morning and you can see for yourself the massive renovation, reconstruction and remodelling of the schools we have visited. What you have seen on ground is the power of Mr. President, not my power. This is because he has mandated us to do this for our people.
“Edo people are happy. We will continue to do more for the benefit of our people. By the time we will be one or two years in office, Edo State and its people would have experienced a lot of transformation across the State in the education and other sectors.
“This is a thing of joy coming into a school that was abandoned by the previous administration. But today, it is different as our children can come here to learn under a very conducive and peaceful atmosphere.”
On his part, Commissioner for Education, Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu, said the infrastructural development of the State by Gov Okpebholo is very interesting.
He noted that working with a Governor who says what he means and means whatever he says is a plus for Edo people, as the Governor’s words are backed by actions.
“Projects are ongoing across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State. Governor Monday Okpebholo is not a man who just makes statements, but he backs it up with actions.
“Construction, renovation, remodeling are going on across several schools in Edo State. The pupils and students are happy. Parents are happy as well as the host communities to have a leader like Governor Okpebholo who knows the way and shows the way.
“Every Edo child is happy knowing that a new Edo Has Risen. We thank the Governor for his magnanimity and for his large heart in ensuring huge infrastructural development in the education sector,” he stated.
On the plans to employ 100 teachers for technical schools across the state, Iyamu said the Governor asked for a needs assessment exercise which was carried out and the report submitted to him, hence the need for the recruitment.
He said, “Governor Okpebholo asked us to go round the three technical colleges to do a needs assessment exercise which was done and we found out that there were not enough teachers. We gave him the report and immediately he gave the approval for the employment of 100 teachers for the three technical schools in the State.
“We will employ teachers based on the needs assessment to meet the desired goals. We have rebuilt the syllabus following the instructions of the Governor who does not want the normal syllabus which was obtainable, but rather a unique syllabus that will put the Edo child in technical schools ahead of his colleagues in other States. The syllabus is being reviewed to fit into present day realities.
“We have the capacity to train children who will come from our technical schools and provide the seats that will be used in our schools across Edo State rather than bringing people from outside the State.”
In the same vein, Chairman of State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Onomen Briggs, said the Okpebholo administration has achieved a lot within just 100 days in office.
She joined the Governor and other officials to monitor the construction of schools across Edo State and expressed satisfaction on the infrastructural development in the sector.
“Considering the fact that we are just 100 days in office, Governor Monday Okpebholo has done a lot as many schools across the three Senatorial Districts of the State are undergoing massive construction. Some have been completed, while others are undergoing renovations and are about 70 to 80 per cent completed. Furniture are ready for the classrooms. For 100 days in office, this is a promise kept,” she said.
The schools inspected by Gov Okpebholo in Edo South include Eweka Primary school, Obazagbon; Oroma Primary school, Amagba; and Uyiosa Primary school, Uzebu Quarters, all in Oredo Local Government Area.
Others are New Era College at Ikpoba-Okah Local Government Area in the state, where construction of blocks of classrooms, offices, toilets, perimeter fences, security post, boreholes among others were ongoing.