The decision by President Musa Yar�Adua to declare his assets publicly may have upset the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, some governors and members of the National Assembly.
However, two governors – Jonah Jang (Plateau) and Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) have promised to follow Yar�Adua�s example.
Our correspondents gathered on Friday that some governors and members of the National Assembly were unhappy about the pressure that Yar�Adua�s action had brought on them. Saturday Punch gathered that many of the governors may not buy the idea of publishing their assets in the same way that the President did his on Thursday, because they viewed the move as a calculated attempt to put them under pressure from their constituencies.
A senior PDP official, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity because of �the sensitive nature of the issue,� said the President�s decision may not be emulated by the 36 state governors. He also said that Yar�Adua�s decision to publicly declare his assets was not a directive from the party.
The source added that though the party was not taken into confidence before Yar�Adua published his assets, the party was not against it. He said, �We have not asked that the governors should declare their assets publicly. But with what the President has done. Many of them are already in trouble from their home states as pressure would be mounted on them to emulate the President.
�The onus either to do so however lies with them. We will not ask them not to, or force them to since the law on the matter did not support or oppose such move.�
Attempts to obtain comments from the PDP�s National Secretary, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; and the National Publicity Secretary, John Odey, were unsuccessful as calls to their mobile phones failed.
But Governor Jang�s Director of Press, Mr. James Mannok, told our correspondent on the telephone, �Of course, when the time comes, he will declare his assets as a public officer and according to the rules; and it is going to be a public document. Assets declaration is a public document and it doesn�t have to be hidden from anybody.�
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State governor said he would declare his assets in �due course� because it is a constitutional provision.
He said, �He (Alao-Akala) certainly should declare his assets. It�s a prerequisite for the Office of the Governor. The President, Alhaji Umaru Yar�Adua, has done it. Declaration of assets is a very effective way of bringing back confidence into leadership. All governors should follow the footsteps of the President. We will initiate the process in due course and you (journalists) will get to know.�
However, the Press Secretary to the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Abiodun Nejo, did not make any categorical statement when asked if Governor Olusegun Agagu would also declare his assets publicly like Yar�Adua did.
He said, �Public declaration of assets is a matter of chioce. Agagu can choose to declare his assets publicly because he has no ill-gotten wealth nor anything to hide. His assets are a reflection of what he had honestly acquired in the course of his service to the nation as a lecturer, businessman and a public officer.
�He doesn�t joke with assets declaration and encourages us to do so. The Code of Conduct Bureau can attest to this. Agagu believes in transparency and openness, he has nothing to hide.�
Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in his reaction, said every political office-holder should abide by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution by declaring his or her assets. The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Lasisi Olagunju, on Friday, said he had declared his assets to the appropriate quarters.
Olagunju said, �It is compulsory for every public office holder to declare his assets. I think it is from level 8 and above. The state government is in support of the provisions of the constitution on the matter.�
An aide to a principal officer of the Senate, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said though he was yet to discuss with his boss on the matter, he was not sure any public official would be ready to follow the Yar�Adua example. According to the aide, the President made his declaration public simply because he had promised to do so.
The aide stated, �So, since one will not be breaching any law by not making his assets declaration public, I doubt if any public officer will be willing to do such things. Don�t forget that what the law says is that you should declare your assets; it does not say you must make it public. The President did it because he promised to do so. Since my boss did not promise to do such a thing, I don�t see him doing that even though he has not discussed that with me.�
Special Assistant (Media) to Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva-Sam, Mr. Nathan Egba, said in an e-mail on Friday, �Yes, he has declared his assets. However, he does not think that everybody has to do it publicly. He believes it is a matter of style.�
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola�s spokesman, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said, �Inasmuch as there are laid-down provisions for assets declaration in the constitution, the governor will comply with such provisions on the declaration of his assets.�
The Chief Press Secretary to Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, told Saturday Punch on the telephone, �I can�t comment on that now until I discuss with the governor. You know, what President Yar�Adua did was a novelty. Nobody has ever done that before.�
Chief Press Secretary to Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni, Mr. Moses Ayo Jolayemi, said, �I have not asked the goevrnor but I don�t see why he will not declare his assets. If there is one governor who is transparent, it is Segun Oni. He will do it as soon as possible.�