An anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has urged governors to emulate Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who declared his assets publicly.
Describing Makinde as a good example, SERAP said it was important for 35 other governors to follow him because Nigerians ought to know the worth of their governors.
SERAP said in a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare, that if the governors refused to take its advice to make their asset declaration open to the public, it would sue them.
It said, “The publication of assets declaration by state governors will improve transparency, accountability and good governance and assure the public that neither fraud nor illicit enrichment is concealed. Knowing the worth of state governors before and after taking office will also prevent rumours, half-truths or innuendo regarding asset declarations.
“Public officials cannot lay claim to absolute privacy in matters of asset declaration. There is an overriding public interest in the disclosure of information on the assets of public officials, including state governors, who are the trustees of Nigeria’s wealth and resources. There is nothing inherently private in the affairs of governors, and we will consider appropriate legal action if state governors continue to fail or refuse to publish their asset declarations.
“Continuing failure or reluctance by many state governors to publish their asset declarations submitted to the CCB may lead to public perception that the governors are attempting to hide something from the citizens regarding those declarations, especially given the fact that many of the public officials being tried for or convicted of corruption are found to have made false declarations of their assets.”
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