Abuja, May 23, 2023 -The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has directed that al newly elected political officer must declare their assets before May 29.
It explained that all newly elected officers like the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, his Vice, Kashim Shettima, and state governors, either newly elected or re-elected, must declare their assets before they would be sworn in on May 29 or they would face the consequences for not doing so.
Dr. Mustapha Musa, the Special Assistant to CCB Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Isah, said this while briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to him, the Bureau had done its part by issuing the asset declaration forms to all newly elected and re-elected public officers across the country.
He said many of the forms had not not been returned, warning that “the constitution is clear on the consequences for those who failed to return the form before they are sworn in.”
“It is important for elected officers to comply with the provisions of the Constitution as it is part of the requirements for occupying or exiting a public office.
“As an agency of government, we have already done our work according to the constitutional mandate; we have issued assets declaration forms to the newly elected and returning public officers.
“But since asset declaration administration is a continuous process, we have started receiving some completed forms from some of them, while some are yet to return theirs.
“Though, from previous experience, we hardly have had any problem with elected public officers, they do fill and return their forms, but it is important we remind them of the need to comply with the provisions of the law.”
“The constitution is clear on defaulters, hence they should declare before they are sworn in or they face the consequences,’’ he said.
Musa said that aside from elected public officers, appointed public officers and civil servants must declare their assets.
“We always urge them to comply with the code of conduct as enshrined under the fifth schedule of the constitution of the country, not only asset declaration.
“They should comply with other codes like the prohibition of bribery and corruption, abuse of power, among others because it is for the betterment of our country,
“When things get better, corruption will be defeated and we will have a country we will be proud of,” he said. (GBN)
