Politics
SERAP Urges Tinubu To Direct CCB To Publish President’s, VP’s, Others Assets
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.”
ALSO READ: Tinubu Mourns Ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Celebrates His Legacy
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.”
Thousands of residents and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party trooped into the streets of Ogun Central Senatorial District on Wednesday as the party officially commenced its campaign for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The campaign train moved through the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central, with residents and party supporters gathering in large numbers to welcome the party’s candidates and leaders.
The campaign began at Agbado Station in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where supporters welcomed the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; and other party leaders.
In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Dele Olaleye is the party’s House of Representatives candidate, a large crowd gathered at NTA Junction, Totoro, to receive the campaign team.
Residents and supporters chanted solidarity songs as the candidates promised purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.
The campaign train later moved to Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where thousands of supporters received the team and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, venue of the Ogun Central flag-off rally.
Speaking at the rally, Adebutu urged residents to support Obasanjo, describing her as a tested and trusted candidate whose track record while representing the district had not been matched.
SEE MORE: Kuje Chairman Breaks Silence Over Viral ‘Leave If You’re Not APC’ Comment
He urged the people of Ogun Central to reject what he described as non-performance and vote for the PDP in the 2027 election.
Adebutu said, “I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors. Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people.”
He also urged voters to reject the All Progressives Congress government, saying, “I therefore urge you all to make up your mind to reject this oppressive APC government with your vote. You must chart a better tomorrow for yourself and your children. You must all turn out in your large numbers to vote for the PDP in the coming 2027 elections.”
Adebutu further called on supporters to protect their votes and resist intimidation during the election.
“Be ready to stand by your votes, resist intimidation and use the power of the ballot to say enough is enough to misgovernance and maladministration,” he said.
The PDP governorship candidate added that the party would restore what he described as the country’s best times if returned to power.
On her part, Obasanjo said she was encouraged by the fact that residents continued to remember her contributions during her time in office.
She represented the district from 2007 to 2011 and served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007.
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.
She also appealed to residents to support the PDP’s return to power, saying the party would work towards making life more comfortable and rewarding for people across the state.
Residents and supporters who spoke during the campaign pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in the January 2027 elections.
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Adebayo made the criticism on Wednesday during an interview with News Central, accusing Atiku of changing his position on petrol subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has said he would introduce measures to reduce the burden of petrol prices on Nigerians if elected president.
READ ALSO: Tinubu’s Men Bomb Atiku on Fuel Subsidy
He has argued that Nigeria has sufficient resources to provide relief for citizens, while explaining that his proposal would involve using the country’s crude oil resources to support domestic refining and reduce the cost of petroleum products.
However, Adebayo said Atiku’s current position was inconsistent with his stance during the 2023 presidential election.
“My colleagues are changing parties, changing manifesto. For example, Vice President Atiku Abubakar said four years ago he will remove subsidy on day one and he will sell NNPC. Now four years later, he is in another party saying no, I am going to restore subsidy,” Adebayo said.
The SDP candidate questioned the rationale behind the change, noting that Atiku had previously described the subsidy regime as economically unsustainable.
“Something that was in place, you said you will remove it. Now your colleague removed it. Now you say you want to put it back. Inconsistency,” Adebayo said.
President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. The decision resulted in a significant increase in petrol prices and placed additional economic pressure on households and businesses.
Atiku has, however, maintained that his proposed intervention would not simply mean a return to the previous subsidy regime.
His position is that Nigeria’s crude oil resources could be used to support domestic refining and help lower the cost of petroleum products.
Beyond the subsidy debate, Adebayo also criticised the movement of politicians between political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that frequent defections had weakened ideological consistency in Nigerian politics, with politicians changing parties and, in some cases, changing their policy positions.
“Everybody who ran against me last time, apart from AAC candidate (Omoyele Sowore), has gone to another political party,” Adebayo said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that it has withdrawn the list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the reports as rumours.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the clarification on Tuesday following reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the campaign council list recently released as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
SEE ALSO: APC Sweeps Ebonyi LG Polls as Umahi’s Son, 12 Others Emerge Chairmen
Morka, while speaking with TheCable, said there was no basis for the reports, stressing that the party would formally announce any changes to the campaign council list.
“It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced,” he said.
The controversy followed reactions to the composition of the campaign council, with some APC members and stakeholders expressing concerns over the inclusion or exclusion of certain party figures.
The development subsequently fuelled speculation that the party could alter the composition of its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
However, Morka’s latest statement indicates that the APC has not officially withdrawn the list.
He further maintained that any adjustment to the campaign council would be communicated through the appropriate channels of the party.
President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election in the 2027 presidential election, with the APC already putting structures in place ahead of the polls.
2027: Massive Turnout as Adebutu, Iyabo Obasanjo Kick Off PDP Campaign in Ogun
Funke Akindele, Ex-Husband JJC Skillz Reunite in Paris, Spark Reactions
Kuje Chairman Breaks Silence Over Viral ‘Leave If You’re Not APC’ Comment
2027: ‘You Said Remove Subsidy, Now You Want It Back’ — Adebayo Blasts Atiku
DPRP Decries Rising Fuel Imports, Despite Strong Local Supply Capacity
CNG Can Cut Fuel Cost From N200,000 to N40,000 — FG
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
