On public assets declaration

The essence of asset declaration is premised on the fact that the citizenry expect the people that have clinched power through elections to be transparent in handling government affairs. Secondly, it is also to spiff up their tenure and make it scandal-free, as people may not readily accuse them of diverting government funds for personal use since their personal properties have already been declared. Thirdly, it makes it discernible at the end of their tenure, to evaluate whether they have unjustly enriched themselves while in office. Fourthly, stewardship and accountability are envisaged to be part and parcel of their scheme of things/function. Perhaps, this has informed the inclusion of asset declaration in our 1999 Constitution as amended. Item 140 of the Constitution stipulates that, “a person elected to the office of President shall not perform the function of that office until he has declared his assets…” This, of course, applies to leaders in all tiers of government. Curiously, it could be deduced from the extract of the 1999 Constitution that the polity have had no liabilities declared by any government functionary. Another loophole is the failure of the constitution to provide for audit verification/valuation of the assets/liabilities? Two, is the asset declaration not an invitation to probe the person that declares his or her asset? Three, does it mean that the loopholes in the constitution is what some government functionary are exploiting in their refusal to go public with their asset declaration? President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, must have quizzed themselves with these questions. Being optimistic leaders with foresight, notwithstanding the shortcoming of the constitution on this, they made their asset declaration public! This should be emulated by government functionaries at all tiers of government. Since this is another way to ensure public fiscal discipline, it should not make the would-be asset declarer afraid! The whole exercise is a kind of psychological check/guide to public office holders that would make them avoid enmeshing themselves in scandals or becoming very rich by stealing public funds. By and large, if public office holders in all tiers of government join the leaders of the Federal Government to declare their assets/liabilities publicly, it will certainly be a legacy for future administrations. It would also be more effective in future, if an Audit bill is made law to make post-asset declaration verification checks easier. Ogbaki Fide, Ibadan. +23481310100