Corruption: Nigerians Deserve more than just Public Declaration of Assets, Says Saraki

The Senator representing Kwara Central and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has clarified his statement on public declaration of assets and war against corruption.

Senator Saraki had while speaking with journalists in his home state in Ilorin, Kwara State on April 14 following the success of the APC where the party won all contested seats in the state, said that public declaration of assets would not reduce corruption.

The statement was interpreted in some quarters to be a contradiction of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment that he, alongside all political appointees in his government, would publicly declare their assets before taking office and at the end of their tenures.

But shedding more light to his statement, Saraki, who recently won re-election into the National Assembly and is being tipped to emerge Senate President of the 8^th Assembly, pointed out that corruption could be reduced through personal commitment and good example of the leadership in the country.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, stressed that while asset declaration is an accepted protocol of statutory disclosure, alone, it cannot reduce corruption as a stand-alone measure, as evident in previous administrations.

According to him, to reduce corruption in governance and public administration, a comprehensive and cohesively thorough policy of accountability must be implemented, starting from proper civil service training and monitoring.

“Corruption has been one of the greatest challenges we face as a country in years past and all efforts, both personal commitment and systemic arrangements should be put in place to further cage this endemic in our society”, he said.

The senator called on all politicians both elected and appointed, to as a matter of National importance, emulate the leadership of Mr. Buhari by declaring their asset and also committing to transparency and accountability in every aspect of our lives as a nation so as to restore public confidence in government.

The statement noted that Senator Saraki, who has always declared his assets before and after every political office since 2003, assured Nigerians that he will continue to do so but more than ever, Nigerians want and deserve more. “They want public officials to be committed to zero tolerance for corruption and show true leadership by example by making sure they are not found wanting in their respective fields of assignment”, it said.