The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has revealed that it has commenced the verification of the N48 billion assets declared by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
The director of the bureau in Oyo State, Mr Bisi Atolagbe, disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Ibadan at the weekend during a meeting of Southwest state directors of the bureau.
Although the Atolagbe pointed out that the verification was nothing special but just part of the routine work undertaken by the bureau, many Nigerians would be interested in the outcome of the process due to the media storm the huge public declaration generated.
Amid the frenzy, many hailed the governor for choosing a public declaration and challenged other public office holders to do the same. While some expressed surprise that the governor was worth so much, others suspected that the declaration could be anticipatory.
But speaking at the weekend, the CCB boss warned interested persons not to expect a public show from the process as the governor was not under interrogation or investgation.
His words: “Work has started in the verification of the content of declaration submitted by Governor Seyi Makinde. At the right time, the report will be available. It is not about noise making but technically doing the work to ascertain assets that are declared. However, I must point out that the process is not a public exercise. The governor has not committed any crime by declaring his assets. It is just to ascertain what he has declared, to check if they are not anticipatory. I can assure you that a thorough job is being done, without being stampeded. We are not in a hurry over it because we are not doing it just to be seen. It will take a while to be completed.”
The member representing the South West on the CCB Board of Directors Prof. Samuel Ogundare, who was also present at the meeting, gave a report on assets declaration by political office holders and top civil servants in the region. According to him, almost all the current and former public office holders in the South West have complied with the CCB regulations on pre-service and post-service assets declarations.
He confirmed that former governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo State), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos State) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) and their deputies, who eneded their tenures on May 29, 2019, have declared their current assets within the stipulated period.
His words: “Our governors in Southwest have shown good examples in compliance. They have done what the constitution requires them to do before and after occupying office. Since the governors and their deputies showed good examples, almost all state lawmakers and appointees have also complied.”
South West states bureau directors present at the meeting include: Messrs Bisi Atolagbe (Oyo), Akinfolarin Feyisola (Ekiti), Olusegun Adeburueje (Ondo), Adeniyi Olufadeji (Osun), Olusegun Rabiu (Ogun) and Ezekiel Olusoji (Lagos).
