Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said that Thursday’s publication of asset declarations by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo ‘turns the page on transparency and accountability in Nigeria.’
According to the group, in a statement, Friday, ‘Buhari and Osinbajo have shown that in publicly declaring their assets, transparency doesn’t take years to achieve, compared to former President Goodluck Jonathan who notoriously failed to publish his asset declaration despite repeated demands by Nigerians.’
“Nigerians will now be able to use the assets published as a baseline and thus means for comparison at the end of the term of this government.”
“SERAP urges the Buhari government to also publish asset declarations of their senior officials and ministers once appointed.”
“SERAP hopes that this publication of asset declarations will translate into real reform of the legal and institutional frameworks established to fight corruption and good governance as well as greater respect for human rights including socio-economic rights of Nigerians such as the rights to food, to health, to education and to adequate housing, and thus improved quality of life for ordinary citizens.”
“We also urge President Buhari to urgently take measures to seek amendment of the law relating to declaration of assets to include the requirement of public disclosure so as to bring it in line with international standards and best practices such as the UN Convention against Corruption,” the organisation added.
