Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that all public office holders should declare their assets publicly as provided in the nations constitution.
The president made this assertion during a press conference with journalists in Aburi, Ghana at the end of a one day state visit to his Ghanaian counterpart President John Mahama.
Buhari said assets declaration had been en grained in the Nigerian Constitution, saying he had done such four times since 1975 that he had served the country in various capacities.
His words: “I recall that in 1975 when late Murtala Mohammed became the Head of State, we were lined up in the corridor – governors, ministers, members of the Supreme Military Council – and officials of Ministry of Justice were brought and every individual was made to declare his assets.
“So right now, all heads of state and government, governors, ministers, permanent secretaries will have to declare their assets because it is a constitutional requirement.
“In Nigeria, it is a constitutional issue and that is why I am blaming you gentlemen of the press. If you really want to do investigative journalism, you don’t have to worry me at this stage; I have declared my assets four times.
“When I was governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister of Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and now as a President, I also declared.
“I have declared my assets and all that I have four times, and you (the media) have the right to go and demand for my declaration. Instead, I am being harassed.”
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