Unknown to President Buhari his asset declaration will bring about his uprightness, to the face of the world, most especially on his recent visit to Ghana, Ghanaians carried post cards, asking their President and Vice President to Declare their assets Publicly.
Beside, President Buhari gradually becomes a legend – exemplary leader in the midst of surpluses, requires all stakeholders to follow suite. The APC USA International Secretariat is hereby calling on Public Office Holders to emulate President Buhari, Vice President Osibanjo and others to Declare Assets on or before September 30th.
In view of this, the Secretariat decided to use this article to enlighten Nigerians on assets Declarations with examples as it relates to governance of Nigeria since time immemorial.
Calls for Transparency International publication, Politics and Government 17thJanuary 2013 holding politicians to account defined and enumerated public assets declaration as follows:
“Asset disclosure is an important tool to hold politicians accountable. The Slovenian legislation regarding the asset disclosure has barely changed in the last 20 years. We detected deficiencies in the law and the limited powers that the anti-corruption commission (CPC) has to investigate these issues and have called for changes in the legislation.”
“In Nigeria civil society has been calling on the President Goodluck Jonathan to declare his assets since 2011. He declined to do so last summer, despite the fact that the Nigerian constitution explicitly calls for all public officials to declare their assets within three months of taking office. In Argentina, the extraordinary 1150 per cent increase in the personal wealth of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner since 2003 has caused widespread comment because although she has declared her assets it is not clear where the increase came from”.
“Politicians and civil servants hold substantial power over the allocation of resources in their countries and the citizens who elect them, and who in effect pay their salaries through their tax contributions. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which has been ratified by 166 countries, requires a legal framework for asset declarations of government officials. Research shows that an asset declaration open to public scrutiny is a way for citizens to ensure leaders do not abuse their power for personal gain (our definition of corruption). Asset declarations are a means to anchor the issue of ethics and integrity in the political classes and should be part of all codes of conduct”.
Again Transparency International provided, best practice for Asset Declarations:
“There are no international standards mandating how asset declarations are made and monitored. However, there are core principles that should form the foundation of any legal framework.
An asset declaration is a person’s balance sheet and should cover assets, from all homes, valuables and financial portfolios, to liabilities, such as debts and mortgages, and all sources of income from directorships and investments to consulting contracts. It should also include gifts and sponsorship deals and any potential conflicts of interest such as unpaid employment contracts and participation in non-governmental organizations.
The leadership of the three branches of government – executive, legislative and judiciary – and senior career civil servants should be required to file asset declarations before and after taking office as well as periodically (annually or every two years) during office.
Ideally, the asset declaration records exact values, but some countries opt for ranges of value.
The administration of an asset disclosure program requires a monitoring and evaluation agency to collect and verify information and investigate, prosecute and sanction those who fail to comply.”
Nigerians are too smart, not to have the glimpse of asset declarations, because of our roles in mass mobilizations and in international development to mention but a few. You must have gathered from the aforementioned, previous administrations kept deaf ears and turn-down calls for reconciliations, leading to where we are now, a revitalizing society!
With Mr. President, Vice President and others asset declarations, is an early warning sign that APC are set to fix Nigeria on a clean slate. We already know why perpetrators are finding it difficult to declare their assets: they are not patriotic and selfish, and still in their slumber. With good development in place and transparency playing a major role, there’s no reason why such suckers cannot come forward; declare their assets while in/out of the office and do everything humanly possible to refund ill-gotten wealth, apologize and move on. Why wait until caught and disgraced.
No wonder, you have such folks living in huge and massive buildings, in the buildings may be mini banks, basements, attics, bunkers, etc. all for hideouts.
On their premises, you will always find poor persons as guards not security agents/companies working for them and prematurely paid, in the long run turned beggars-no work benefits attached. Most reasons, why looters ills gotten wealth are ceremonially uncovered beyond today.
As a matter of fact, the National Assembly must incorporate into the constitution, commensurate authority and enforcement policies to recoup excesses from hoodlums without restrictions; and must ascertain followership and adherences.
We encourage Mr. President to use all means available him to recuperate funds.
Francis John
APC USA International Secretariat
+1.816.359.8527
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