When Asset Declaration Becomes Laughable...

When president Yar'Dua Musa declared his (questionable) asset of N856m(eight hundred and fifty-six million naira)and that of his wife at N19m, alot of Nigerians hailed this seemingly transparent act ...most people saw it as setting an exemplary example. I saw it as gimmick...a charade. My major concern then was...how did he (Yar'Dua ) amass so much wealth. And what happens if at the end of his tenure, he is ten times richer...? I asked, what will Nigerians do?

Then I felt I was alone in this trail of thought...but after the Vice President of Nigeria-- Jonathan Goodluck bowed to pressure from the people through journalists by declaring an asset base of N259m(two hundred and fifty nine million naira), read what some Nigerians are saying courtesy of ThisDay newspaper(8/8/2007)

Tunde Amos08.08.2007 23:51
We would only be fooling ourselves to think that this people do not have more than they are declaring. come to think of it there are a sizable number of them who have ensure that such assets are purchased/owned and managed by other people on their behalf. Who is fooling who?

Dayo
08.08.2007 23:46
Is there a way of getting the taxation people to tell us the amount of tax paid by all these fellows? Let\'s start from there and later we will investigate how they made these monies.

I hope all the ministers and advisers will follow suit

Daniel Elombah
08.08.2007 23:46
I now believe that \'the Lucky one\' has something to hide.
While Yar\'Adua included the assets of all his family, Goodluck excluded the assets of his wife and kids.

2 months after becoming the governor of Bayelsa Assets, The brother to the wife of Goodluck Jonathan, who had just then finished Youth Service, was used to transfer millions of Naira out of Nigeria using one of Nigerian Banks.

It was also widely reported, that the said wife was investigated by both the EFCC and the London Metropolitan Police for international money laundering.

Therefore, \'the lucky one\' is being clever by half. He should declare his whole family assets including his in-laws, the we should compare what he declared juust 2 years ago as a new governor of Bayelsa State.

It should be further noted, that Goodluck was a mere Lecturer just before assuming office as deputy governor in 1999 and served just 2 years as governor from 2006 to 2007.

Assuming without conceding that the declared assets is a true reflection of all he possees, Nigerians should be asking, how he earned more than 200 million naira a teacher, 6 years as a deputy governor, and 2 years as a governor.

If Nigerian Lecturers now earn so much, we all beter head back home.
Talade Kunle
08.08.2007 23:45
Its completely inconceiveable that GoodLuck would be worth this much. HOW UNDER THE HEAVENS DID HE MAKE SO MUCH MONEY. It is not enough to declare, there should be some explanations as well. It is people like GoodLuck that fuel the restiveness in the niger delta by such huge declarations of wealth that clearly suggests LOOTING..... this is very sad, in a country where pensioners are starving & dying, CRY NIGERIA CRY........

RENE OSAYANDE
08.08.2007 23:45
Most Nigerians seem to mis-place their piority what do we as a people stand to gain from this carefully tailored asset declaration.Instead of us to be asking for good roads,regular power & water supply,free education for our children.We are busy chasing shadows these politicians have perfected the act of stealing.All these assets declared are less from those aquired via proxy.

Ezera Agwu
08.08.2007 23:43
Mr VP, Thank you for showing good example. We in diaspora love your steps. So fellow Nigerians should accept this figure whether you said the truth on not, and repect you and your office for the sake of Nigeria

Udo 08.08.2007 23:31
Obasanjo had N20,000.00 in 1998/1999 but left office a multi-billionaire. Odilli went in with a Nigerian doctor\'s income, if you get my drift, comes out and is buying more planes than Virgin Atlantic. Talking about explanation.

Afolabi Wasiu (USA)
08.08.2007 23:30
Though it is a way to start however declaring asset is nothing if the sources are not decleared, and a thorough review of asset is not done. We all know taxation is a protracted disease in Naija. Levying taxes on their property will not only put money in goverment\'s purse but will also curb those who might declear an exaggerated asset to be filled while in the office.

frank 08.08.2007 23:29
The vp has finally bowed to the yearnings of the people.But little did I wonder why it took him this long after his boss declared his own a long time ago.It definitely shows that he has something to hide.At least now we have something to hold when we start seeing BILLIONS in his accounts.

E. E. I 08.08.2007 23:20
Good news, but I must say that the fight against corruption is nothing but a gimmick when Baba Iyabo is untouchable. The battle is yet to start.

Obinna Alozie
08.08.2007 23:17
No need deceiving people Mr. VP. Since you failed to make it known at first and waited for people to react before you do so. I can\'t believe this figure. And by the way, how did you make this money? Was it your share of the LOOT in Bayelsa under Alameyshia or what?? Stop deceiving yourself. You will somehow, someday be called up by God to repeat this figure you just put out to decieve people. Goodluck.

Afolabi Wasiu
08.08.2007 23:10
Do you need to wait to see what the public opinion will be before you do the right thing?. The President has led the way, why he held back? Well, thanks for following the right path, it is a point to start. It is all about nothing but accountability.

JOHN AJEWOLE (U.K)
08.08.2007 23:07
Public declaration of assets is not enough. Let them explain also how this wealth was accquired. Let Obasanjo, Atiku and a host of others declare their assets too after leaving office. I believe the code of conduct bureau stipulates that public office holders should declare their assets before and after holding an office.

Jare 08.08.2007 23:05
Thank God VP bowed to pressure. Thank you Nigerian Jurnalists. You jurnalisst have a lot to do by going into archive and find out the true statement on ground on the asset declared.Let Nigerians know where and when these assets were acquired. You can find out from their PRO.
We want to know how a school teacher can become a millonaire in Nigeria. How many companies has he,share and landed property. Please investigate.. We are waiting for you people to build our country on honesty, integrity and good governance.

chris 08.08.2007 23:02
Vp\'s asset declaraation is welcome although I believe it must have been a directive from above. It\'s however difficult to reconcile the asset declared with his legitimate earning both as a lecturer, deputy governor and later governor. Still its a start. If we now find his asset in billions afterwards he will have a lot of explaining to do.

Ifeanyi Uhuegbu
08.08.2007 22:52
Each time a public officer declares his assets, we applaud him for doing what he is statutorily mandated to do. How laughable can this be. Have we bothered to check if those assets exist? After serving, do we cross check the person\'s new assets and how he aquired them? No wonder Ibori\'s aide had the temerity to say that his boss acquired the said frozen London assets before he became governor

Similarly how much tax did those who declared assets pay. Don\'t we have column for property tax. Head Federal iinland revenue, this is an assignment for your organisation.

Ifeanyi Uhuegbu,
Author, African Wisdom,
www.africanwisdomonline.com

Emeka Ekwosimba
08.08.2007 22:42
From the goings on, I think Nigeria may just be gradually getting to that democratic latitude that we all pray for. Change in decisions by the government and those at the helms of affairs have been coming in droves once the masses protest. It may soon be uhuru afterall.

Dozie (USA)
08.08.2007 22:39
That could be how much Goodluck acquired for sure. The ultimate winner and hero is Obasanjo! Thanks for carefully choosing governors that were worth under a billion naira. This is poverty compared to the colleagues. The difference between President\'s assets and VP is property inherited from Yaradua dynasty. At least we have an idea of what an average Nigerian leader should own, and what is stupid.

chuks Okoye
08.08.2007 22:37
Good!!............ Now God will get on with what He\'s planned to accomplish in the new Nigeria that will soon evolve.Thank you V.P

Innocent Agbodike
08.08.2007 22:35
Bravo Mr VP you are indeed a good follower.

A good servant follow the master\'s footstep.

Now I believe you are qualified for your post.

Thank you for making Nigerians proud.

Ugwuja,Emmanuel
08.08.2007 22:32
I find it pretty difficult to believe that the VP legitimately acquired personal assets of over N250million.When and how? He has to explain the sources of this wealth otherwise there is no point waging war against corruption.It takes an entrepreneur in the class of Dangote,Otedola,e.t.c.to have that kind of money.Because he is never a business man.It is a pitty corruption has become a way of life.Our children are watching us.

Solomon Joseph
08.08.2007 22:26
I think this is a very good development. I wondered why he (VP) delayed. Now the VP has done his, all other officers should follow, this will help us (Nigerians) to monitor their wealth during their tenure and after. I am looking forward to Mr. President asking all his SAs and ministers to join the queue.

oluyemi Erastus
08.08.2007 22:19
This is wiliwili declaration. This is an extreme example of Gbenga Daniel\'s case. These people should stop assaulting our intelligence.

vitalio
08.08.2007 22:16
As a Nigerian, you can ask the questions yourself, the press cannot do everything for us. the VP has already started wrongly, he has given an opportunity for doubts on his transparency and integrity. What Bayelsa collects in a monthly allocation, Lagos gets it in 2 or 3 months. We just pray that his new found romance with bowing to people\'s demands continues.

L. U. Emesara
08.08.2007 22:13
The Nigeria constitution (amended) should compel public office holders to declare their assests publicly.Bravo Mr President for setting the pace.

temitope adeyemo
08.08.2007 22:10
This is good, let the \" game\" begin. We need to know how he got all this. Maybe...I say maybe again, a new Nigeria might be on the way soon...God Bless us all.

abimbola kumapayi
08.08.2007 22:07
Mark it, you can\'t enjoy your tenure as you will at all times come under watch.
Why did you consider this latest option?
We thought you have strong-head.

L. U. Emesara
08.08.2007 22:07
It is high time we began to know who our leaders are.The VP should be investigated to asertain the source of his wealth.Leadership in Nigeria should be made uncomfortable for those back yard millinoairs.
Chief Gbenga Oyedele
08.08.2007 22:05
Nigeria a nation with one of the lowest per capital income in the world, a nation that can not supply its citizens with basic infrastructures that they are entitled to, even common constant electric supply , pipe bone water, safety on the streets, that these other shameless politicians and hardened crimanals are declaring all these mind boggling income statements is alarming. How did this man, VP, get N259 million, how did YarAdua get his loot. How did the Governor of Ogun state get his billions? Until a revoliution is started in that country, Nigerians will still languish in the bottom of world good life. EFCC is a tip in the icebag. Ribadu is one good Nigerian. I am sure there are many more like that scattered all over the world looking at their beloveth country in ruins.
Money, wealth and greed.The whole truth is out here. These are all stolen money. Period.
No African heritage is rich enough to command all that money.
Even Abiola we all know how he got his money. What happens to the common man on the streets. What about the down trodding? The powerless? I pity our leaders. They are no good sons of bitches.
No atom of patriotism, decency or nationalism.
Just simple greed.
These says something about the average Nigerian. Not very good. A Nigerian is probably a boot licker who will sell his brother or sister for even food. Remember thats how slave trade started and today millions of American, Canadian and Carabien blacks are livivg proof.
The love for self gratification and money is driving our shameless leaders off the roof. May God have mercy on their poor miserable souls.
I hope they dont one day suffer from a cardiac arrest and by the time they get to their planes to fly to London they collapse are end their miserable greedy existence.

franko
08.08.2007 22:00
Its all in the politics..
For me, the issue here is the responsiveness of the upper echeleon of the Naija political class to varying degrees of pressure from the people, which has to be commended, rather than the actual act of declaration or not.
I believe the time has come for those especially within certain (upper) ranks of the civil service and especially the local government chieftains to be required by law to (publicly) declare their assets.
Hopefully, the EFCC and similar-minded organisations can and will begin to monitor anticipatory declarations of assets to prevent situations where these guys just declare something they dont have and then fill up the void by the usual unashamed roguery...
Well done Messrs Yar\'Adua & Jonathan.

okey muoh
08.08.2007 22:00
All ministers working with the president and the VP must do the same thing too as the oga and deputy have set the pace now.This must include special advisers too.I expect senators too and house of rep memebers to show openess and wisdom in making public theirs with the executive governors ....

We expect probe and checks on all these bogus asset declarations especially OGD of Ogun state and Fashola Pls?

oziengbe joseph
08.08.2007 21:57
It is not enough to declare assets we should find out where and where all these guys have worked before,how much they were making then,if it is business let\'s see their records,payment voucher,contract awards and all of that to set the record straight.Thankyou.

ranni 08.08.2007 21:56
This is a gross understatement of the ill gotten loot by your looting excellency. He deliberately intends to deceive the populsce and conceal his wealth. He is responsible for the crises in Niger delta because he stole the resources that should be used to develop the area.

austine popo
08.08.2007 21:56
False declaration, capital lie, I dont believe it.
nosa
08.08.2007 21:55
Nigeria is a country where criminals transform themselves into politicians and wealth can be acquired through various means; through I eat you eat and shutup.
Olaosebikan R
08.08.2007 21:42
This is a good thing for democracy in Nigeria.Mr President has fired the first shot.He is leading by example and Goodluck has eventually bowed to the people\'s request.Let the ministers, Governors,Law makers etc follow Mr President.
This is a new era of transparency and accountability. Whosoever refuses to do this has something to hide. So far so good with Yar Adua. The victory belongs to the people.

james
08.08.2007 21:25
THIS MEANS HE STOLE LITTLE OR NO MONEY AS GOVERNOR

Omo Oba Olubukun Akinyebo.
08.08.2007 21:17
What can I say? I am not sure whether we have started the journey to transformation of this nation.

Has the VP paid tax on his wealth? And how has he acquired this wealth?

The press should be investigating right now as to his tax records for the past five years, whether he has paid the appropriate rate.

It is time that we start asking our leaders questions