SERAP: Obasanjo Library may have been funded by political contractors

A civil society group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has alluded to possibility of donors to the Obasanjo Presidential Library project doing so for political favours and to the detriment of Nigerians.

The group spoke against the backdrop of the recent commissioning of the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, which attracted global leaders over the weekend.

It has, therefore, called on Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to “urgently propose a bill that would specifically regulate and bring transparency to any future presidential library fundraising process, and make public disclosure of major donations towards the establishment of any such library mandatory.”

“Osinbajo should work closely with the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of any such bill into law,” the group added.

“Proposing a bill that would provide information to Nigerians and allow them to know those who help pay for presidential libraries is not only a matter of public interest but also crucially important to enhance transparency, accountability and strengthen this government’s anti-corruption efforts,” SERAP maintained.

In the case of Obasanjo Presidential Library, it argued that a situation where all the donors and the monies donated by them were shrouded in secrecy left al lot to be desired and calls for greater scrutiny.

Urging the former Head of State to do the needful, SERAP said, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo would serve public interest by making a voluntary disclosure of every single donation, particularly large donations, to his newly launched presidential library. This would contribute to greater openness, something that the presidential library seeks to promote about the work and achievements of Obasanjo while in government.”

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Insisting on full disclosure and transparency, SERAP said, “The proposed bill would give Nigerians a better view of major donations going to presidential libraries, and provide access to information as to whether donors gain any special Aso Rock influence. The bill would minimize the potential for a quid pro quo, influence-peddling; and help to build trust and confidence among a citizenry that already questions the ethics of elected officials.”

The group’s statement, dated March 5 and signed by its Senior Staff Attorney Timothy Adewale reads in part:

“It’s unfair to Nigerians for a sitting or former president to raise an unlimited amount of money for a presidential library and not to have the obligation to publish information on the major contributors. Without transparency into donations, a president could potentially take an official action in exchange for or in expectation of a future donation to his or her presidential library and the public would be unaware.”

“Without openness and transparency, potential donors may seek to use library donations as a means to secure special access or political favours to authorities in Abuja.”

“The proposed bill should include a requirement to disclose details about each contributor, the total value of each contribution, the source(s) of the contribution, and the date of each contribution. Any such information must be publicly and widely published, including on a website that is free for the public to access and that is searchable, sortable, and downloadable.”

“The bill should also prohibit the making of a contribution through a corporation or other legal entity that may be used to conceal the identity of the person actually providing the contribution.”

The commissioning of the Obasanjo Presidential Library was part of the activities marking the former President’s 80th birthday.

 

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