Another look at the Asset Declaration

I just went through the summary of the Asset Declaration documents as presented by this administration yesterday evening. A cursory look at the President’s assets has really gone a long way to confirm his truly Spartan way of life. Less than N30m in his Union Bank Account and only five houses with two being mud houses in his village.

My grouse however is with the number of cattle. I thought that during the elections we had only 150 but it’s looking that the cattle from the excitement of the victory had gone ahead to reproduce there by increasing our President’s total net worth. This report has really thrown a challenge to the political class.

For our amiable Vice President, he has shown that he is by far richer than the President as a successful lawyer. Even with him, his wealth is quite modest especially if you take into consideration the fact that he served as a Commissioner in Lagos. A state where websites are built for over N70 million then you will begin to see the symbolism in his N94m which can not even build one website for him. He has also shown that he is an astute businessman with stakes in some firms and a thriving law practice.

Let me sound a note of warning. If you check my bank account, you will see N60,000 in my FCMB account and N15,000 in my Diamond Bank. This does not mean anything as I am very far from these figures in true worth. It also does not mean that I am incorruptible as of now, nor that I may still not be incorruptible in the near future.

So let’s not get carried away with these Spartan figures and asset and continue to hold this government responsible for its self appointed crusade of governing responsibly.

Read also: 100 days: An unnecessary controversy

What this asset declaration has done is that it has redefined once again the expectations of the public from our public servants. If this rule is imposed and effectively implemented, you will see that it will vastly reduce the number of Nigerians seeking political office. For when they declare their assets, they will find it very difficult to explain the source of their stupendous wealth, and even if they hide some and under declare, when they are leaving office, they will still be exposed to the same public scrutiny and there we will see the buttocks of the fowl.

So my people, following this true example of probity, I hereby challenge the likes of Fashola, Ameachi, all the sitting governors and those seeking to be appointed into the rebalanced cabinet to immediately publicly declare their assets and let’s know who is who.

Meanwhile, I sure hope this excercise is not meant to distract the public from the 100 day milestone celebration of this administration. My fear is that this excercise should not be used to divert attention and keep the public focused on the cows and horses instead of us reviewing the efforts of the Government since inception.

I hope not o. Let the reviews begin.

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