In a recent Facebook post, former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, has advised all elected political office holders to publicly declare their assets. He emphasised that he had previously declared his own assets without any negative consequences, and urged others to follow suit to promote transparency.
Senator Sani’s call for public declaration of assets is not new in the Nigerian political sphere. It is a common practice for elected officials to declare their assets as a means of holding them accountable for their finances and preventing any form of corruption.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires all elected officials to declare their assets before and after their term in office. This requirement applies to the President, Vice President, governors, deputy governors, members of the National Assembly, and State Houses of Assembly.
Despite this constitutional provision, some public officials have failed to declare their assets, which has led to suspicions of fraud and corruption. In light of this, Senator Sani’s call for transparency is an important reminder to other elected officials to uphold their constitutional obligations and publicly declare their assets.
By declaring their assets, elected officials can demonstrate their integrity and commitment to serving the nation, while also building trust with their constituents. Furthermore, publicly declaring assets can help to create a culture of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s political system, which is much needed as the country moves towards a more democratic and accountable governance system.
