Assets declaration: Makinde has set example in transparency, says group

The Oyo Kajola Group (OKG), on Wednesday, lauded the Oyo State governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, for setting an example in transparency and accountability among public office holders in the country by publicly declaring his assets.

The socio-political group, which worked for the election of Governor Makinde in the March 9, 2019 governorship election, made this position known in a statement released to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, this was just as the group charged some persons who have criticised the governor for declaring such huge assets to remain quiet or join Makinde on the path of probity.

According to the group, Governor Makinde’s action confirmed the belief held by thousands of Oyo State residents and others who have always believed in the governor as a man who can be trusted for fidelity to his promises.

The group said: “Governor Seyi Makinde’s action in publicly declaring his assets after satisfying the constitutional requirement that demands all public officials to declare their assets before the Code of Conduct Bureau is a good development and a confirmation that Oyo State voters had, indeed, voted for a truthful and accountable leader.

“We charge critics of the governor’s action, some of whom have been declaring readiness to verify the governor’s assets, to instead turn attention on their political leaders, “who are pseudo-progressives and only profess integrity by mere words.

“Their leaders should be man enough to also publicly declare their assets or they leave the governor alone,” the group said.

 “We share the views of several well-meaning Nigerians and civil society organisations who have hailed Governor Makinde’s action, such as the Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP), Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership(CACOL), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and many others.

“It is heart-warming that the Oyo State governor, by his action, has shown a great example that other public officials must emulate.”