Asset Declaration: Has Buhari fulfilled all righteousness?

The Nigerian constitution actually makes it mandatory for the President and other officials/officers of the state, especially the elected/appointed officers to declare their assets which include their real estate acquisition and investments while taking over and leaving their offices with the Code of Conduct Bureau. But whether such declaration should be made public for the sake of transparency is a different kettle of fish.

Asset declaration is not a common trend among Nigerian leaders who visibly shy away from it simply because of its cataclysmic effect. In fact the late Umaru Yar’Adua until recently remains the only president of the country who has publicly declared his assets. Because he did this, his deputy then, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was forced to publicly declare his assets too. It was when Jonathan got into power that asset declaration became a non-issue.

Thus when Nigerians were clamouring for Buhari to make his assets’ declaration public, they weren’t demanding anything that was out of sorts or devoid of historical precedence in the country.

Before and after the election, Buhari has been popular among the citizens because he is seen as capable of charting a much-desired trajectory of transparent governance in the country.

Therefore, a vast majority of the electorate who voted the present administration into power were dismayed that President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy Yemi Osinbajo who rode into office on the back of their promised adherence to transparency were soon nibbling away at their own credibility by their failure to make public the details of their assets’ declaration, a feat that was performed amid accolades by former President.Umaru Yaradua

Beyond his pre hand-over promises, Nigerians believed in Buhari’s avowed integrity and thus they do not find his public declaration of assets’ incongruous with what he would readily do in the service of his nation albeit not when his public declaration of assets look more like a mere list of belongings or am I wrong?

Making his assets’ declaration open was for the public he is serving, and it wouldn’t be such a bad idea if he decided to go beyond this by publicly declaring the details of his assets yearly as a way of making himself accountable to the citizenry. All other public officials should equally make the details of their assets known to the public. Anyone who cannot do this should reject such appointments.

Read also: Buhari declares assets: Mud house, 270 cattles, N30m, others

Before now, there were unwarranted and time wasting debates on the issue of asset declaration which left many Nigerians asking questions and feeling jittery about the new administration. This was after he gave Nigerians the impression that he could be likened to the numerous hustlers in the country who were struggling to eke a living. He even went as far as disclosing that he borrowed money to pay for his party form for the expression of his presidential ambition.

Notwithstanding, President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo’s actions last week was a vital step in the right direction after-all a former President once unapologetically declared;

“I do not think it is necessary to make a public disclosure of my assets. After all, it is a matter of principle, not constitutional.”

But again, whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. For an administration that has strong stance on corruption, the exact value of respective assets such as cars and houses should have been mentioned so as not to be seen as a deceptive window dressing. Then, probably his wife’s assets should have been declared too just like the late former Nigerian President, Yaradua did in 2007. That would have quelled the rumours and silenced the whistle blowers.

Regardless, is this recent action of the president and his vice really worthy of note? Has Buhari laid all bare?

Because, should there be a hint of corruption in his government, Nigerians will be thoroughly disappointed.

Nothing less is expected from the government whose mantra is change – from corruption and profligacy to transparency, accountability and prudence.

The core details of the assets declared becomes sacrosanct hence it may just be a mere list of belongings. Having said that, the fact that he actually declared his assets at all is one which remains laudable as long as its not just in a bid to pacify the Nigerians who have been crying blue murder!

Read also: Osibanjo floors Buhari in Real Estate value; declares assets