President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has
said that all who are appointed ministers in his administration must declare
their assets before assuming office and before vacating the position.
Buhari
stated that the move would encourage accountability among public servants and
reduce corruption.
The
President-elect made the statements on Sunday, April 12, 2-15 during an
interview with Sahara TV.
“All those that were governors, ministers, permanent secretaries,
head of foreign staff and all those with political appointments will have to
declare their assets on the assumption of their appointment and definitely with
the courts. And once they leave they have to re-declare their assets,” Buhari said.
Buhari
also said that last-minute defectors from other parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not expect automatic
appointments in his government.
He
further criticized the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,
over the depletion of the Excess Crude Account.
Dr
Okonjo-Iweala had explained that the funds in the account had been distributed
governors over the past two years instead of being saved.
“I’m afraid the finance minister has no cause to complain because
the governors cannot force the central government to act outside the
constitution,” Buhari
said deeming the minister’s excuse unacceptable.
The
President-elect also said that his government would not become “embroiled in
investigation of every ministry” as the “government will not have time to move
forward.”
He
however added that he wouldn’t stand in the way of the judiciary’s fight
against corruption.
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