SERAP Urges President Tinubu to Publish Assets, Encourage Officials to Follow Suit

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to publish his assets.

The group also urged the President to encourage Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, National Assembly leaders, state governors, and local government chairmen to follow suit.

The appeal came in response to Tinubu’s remarks during his first Presidential Media Chat, where he indicated his willingness to consider requesting the CCB to make his asset declaration public.

In a letter dated December 28, 2024, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP commended the President’s statement, describing it as a positive step toward promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

“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, National Assembly leadership, state governors, and local government chairmen to do the same,” SERAP said.

The organization highlighted how the secrecy surrounding asset declarations by high-ranking public officials fosters corruption at all levels of government, including federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), as well as in the 36 states and 774 local governments.

SERAP stressed that publicizing asset declarations would reduce opportunities for abuse of public funds and strengthen accountability across all tiers of government.

The letter also referenced a Supreme Court ruling from July 11, 2024, which barred state governors from controlling local government funds, emphasizing that its immediate and effective implementation would enhance transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.

“Requesting the CCB to publish your assets and encouraging other officials to do the same would promote public trust, transparency, and accountability,” SERAP stated.

The appeal comes amid growing calls for openness in governance as Nigerians demand stronger action against corruption and misuse of public resources.