The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde last week made his asset declaration content public. This is sequel to the disposition he made on May 28th 2019 before he took oath of office the next day. The Code of Conduct Bureau is the recipient of assets declaration by public officials; however, the official can choose to make the asset so declared public. In this case the governor chose to make his public thereby attracting widespread praises. Although there were pockets of murmurs, however when a good thing happens in our polity it is important it is highlighted in such a way that others can take heed. There is nothing bad about what the governor has done. It is noble and we recommend it to others to follow.
In his declaration the governor who is an engineer claimed to be worth over N48 billion in assets and cash in different denominations around the world. by making the content of his assets public he was only fulfilling campaign promises. His asset declaration form marked OYSE/2019/001 contained details of cash in various denominations at hand or banks, landed properties (developed and undeveloped), household items and shares and bonds. Further details reveal that the governor’s cash at hand and in the bank is over N230 million, in dollar terms he has $30, 056. 99, he has properties developed and undeveloped worth over N2 .6 billion. In dollar terms the governor has properties worth $4.4 million. There are other properties in South Africa, bonds, a number of company assets also, shares and others jointly owned with his wife.
Prior to this time, President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua made his assets public. His then vice, Goodluck Jonathan followed. In this era, President Muhammadu Buhari made his assets public together with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in 2015. They have submitted their asset declaration forms this time, although presidential spokesman stated that the assets have no significant changes, however the graphic details were not made public. Makinde therefore has blazed a trail in this 2019-2023 era for public officials. Indeed he is the first governor to go to this length to advertise probity and self accountability. Others only parrot it as political jargon.
Expectedly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has celebrated this. On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress, APC has called on the CCB to investigate the claims; just like the Socio Economic and Accountability Project (SERAP) has equally called for investigation concerning the declared assets. Both are expected. Normally the CCB will investigate every claim and seek clarification where there appears to be gaps. Truth is in Nigeria we have what is called “anticipatory Asset Declaration”. This means that a public official will exaggerate declared assets so that while in office those assets will be acquired and presented as those earlier declared. It has happened many times.
Since asset declaration muddled the professional career of a public official of the status of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the importance of asset declaration has become a critical public interest activity. CJN Walter Onnoghen was forced to resign following discrepancies arising from his asset declaration form. A hitherto harmless bureau has assumed a gargantuan image. The CCB and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT have become important tools to fighting corruption. Factually, if we want to get serious as a country, the CCB and CCT need to be strengthened without delay.
Unfortunately what is not happening is the inability of the Bureau to take stock after service. We do not know what assets outgoing or former office holders have. We do not know how they come about their new luxury after leaving office. We see a lot of luxury but fail to relate it to what these public officials do in office. We just allow things slide. As a country we will do much better if we operationalise activities and duties of government agencies and leave them to work according to their constitutional responsibilities. The only thing we can do is ensure a productive feedback mechanism.
While we expect more from CCB/CCT, we have to commend the Governor of Oyo State for his bold step which will probably define his administration. The standards he has set for himself must show in the day to day running of the affairs of the state. This asset declaration must not become a one-off event. Accountability must be his watchword. But more critically, we urge other state governors, ministers, commissioners, senators, House of Representatives members, local government chairmen and councilors among others to copy this example. This example will not kill them, it will make our country better.
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