Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called upon President Bola Tinubu to show his commitment to transparency and accountability by publicly disclosing his asset declaration form.
As President Tinubu marks his first year in office, SERAP also encourages him to inspire Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, and state governors to follow suit.
A letter which was addressed to President Tinubu by SERAP, highlights the significance of releasing asset declaration forms in fostering public trust and establishing a governance system built on transparency.
The organization asserts that such transparency would serve the public interest, fortify Nigeria’s democracy, and enhance accountability across all levels of government.
SERAP further recommends that President Tinubu propose a constitutional amendment to establish a dedicated database for publishing asset declaration forms of government officials before, during, and after their tenure.
This measure would enable public scrutiny, facilitate the identification of potential conflicts of interest, and combat corruption.
The letter reminds President Tinubu of his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, in which he vowed to combat corruption and uphold impartial governance according to the constitution and the rule of law.
SERAP urges him to seize the opportunity of his first anniversary in office to translate these commitments into action by promptly implementing the proposed recommendations.
SERAP emphasizes that asset declaration forms are matters of public interest and advocates for their accessibility through a dedicated website.
The organization expresses concern over the persistent challenge of corruption in Nigeria and argues that transparency surrounding public officials’ assets is crucial in fostering public confidence in the integrity of governance.
Citing the Nigerian Constitution and international anti-corruption treaties, SERAP underscores the importance of asset declaration in promoting transparency and preventing corruption.
SERAP retains hope that President Tinubu and other high-ranking officials will embrace this call for openness and accountability by promptly disclosing their asset declaration forms.
