LAGOS, Nigeria – In a bid to promote transparency and accountability in the Nigerian government, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a strong plea to President-Elect Bola Tinubu.
In an open letter dated Saturday, May 27, 2023, SERAP urged Tinubu to lead by example and make public the details of his assets, income, investments, liabilities, and interests. The organization also called upon the Vice-President-Elect and other public officials to follow suit.
SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, emphasised the importance of Tinubu’s commitment to upholding human rights, media freedom, and the rule of law. The organization stressed the need for immediate action to address the government’s repeated disregard for court judgments and to combat systemic corruption.
The open letter read, “SERAP notes your recent promise to ‘kill corruption.’ However, this rhetoric is nothing new: the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari used similar hollow anticorruption phrases in 2015.” The organization went on to highlight Buhari’s failure to fulfill his promises regarding asset transparency and accountability.
The organization urged Tinubu to utilize transparency in asset declarations as a means to promote public accountability and eradicate corruption in Nigeria. By publicly disclosing the details of his assets, liabilities, and interests, Tinubu would set a precedent for other public officials, allowing Nigerians to understand the wealth of their elected leaders.
SERAP highlighted the consequences of failing to address corruption and concealment of assets. The concentration of wealth among a select few politicians and elites has eroded public trust and undermined the integrity of the political system.
The organization emphasized that the publication of asset declarations would serve as a powerful tool to combat corruption, facilitate the prosecution of corrupt individuals, and instill a culture of scrutiny within the public sector.
The open letter drew attention to the actions of the outgoing administration, noting its repeated disobedience of court judgments and disregard for the rule of law.
SERAP called upon Tinubu to embrace the legacy of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who consistently published his asset declaration forms and planned legislative reforms to mandate public officers to do the same. Yar’Adua believed that such transparency would exert pressure on other officials to follow suit.
SERAP referenced the Nigerian Constitution, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and international conventions that stress the significance of asset declaration in promoting transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
The organization also highlighted the fundamental right to information enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties.
By adhering to these principles and disclosing his assets, Tinubu would demonstrate a commitment to the people he serves and pave the way for a more transparent and accountable government.
SERAP concluded the letter, expressing hope that Tinubu would consider their recommendations and take proactive steps to publish his asset declaration form, encouraging others to do the same.
The organization emphasized that effective enforcement and implementation of court judgments were crucial for restoring the rule of law and rebuilding citizens’ trust and confidence in the government.
As the nation awaits Tinubu’s response, Nigerians anticipate whether his administration will usher in a new era of transparency and accountability, addressing the persistent challenges of corruption that have plagued the country for years.
