About 24 hours after collecting his assets declaration forms, President Muhammadu Buhari has submitted them, in compliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has also submitted his forms, his spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, said last night.
A statement from the President’s office confirmed the submission, which by law must precede his oath-taking slated on Wednesday, May 29th.
The statement adds: “The duly completed forms were submitted to the Chairman of the CCB, Professor Mohammed Isa, on behalf of the President by Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant, Household and Domestic Affairs.
“The forms, as signed by the President and sworn to before a Judge of Abuja High Court showed no significant changes in assets as declared in 2015 by him.
“There are no new houses, no new bank accounts at home and abroad and there are no new shares acquired.
“The Chairman of the CCB commended the President for leading by example by declaring his assets in accordance with the law”.
On Monday, Buhari told CCB officials who brought the forms to him: “I am very pleased that you are here. I assure you I will quickly fill this form and dispatch it to you. At the end of 2023, I believe there are a lot of people that will like to get back at me. So please, make sure you keep it safely because there are people who believe they shouldn’t be questioned and some of them are already in trouble. I expect them to fight back and this is one of the instruments. So, I hope you will keep it safe. Thank you very much indeed.”
Buhari, who commended Muhammad Isa, CCB chairman, for accepting to serve, said: “I am very pleased. I think I am meeting you for the first time since your appointment. I thank you for accepting to be in this very important institution and I thank you very much for serving me my forms which I must fill constitutionally before my second term of office.
“I think we cannot over emphasise the importance of your office because Nigerians are notorious for cutting short and not giving account of their public responsibilities and we are trying to impress it on our nation and the world that this administration is based on accountability.
“It is only institutions like yours that will bail us out from the efforts that we have been making to make sure that people in public offices do not abuse that public office and that those who come in and those that are leaving in certain positions make sure that they hold the integrity of the office and of the country generally in high esteem.”