CISLAC to Political Candidates: Declare your assets publicly
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has told candidates aspiring for political offices to make public declaration of their assets, in preparation for the 2023 general elections.
The leadership of the CISLAC made this revelation while paying a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Friday.
While speaking on behalf of the association, CISLAC Chairman, Auwal Rafsanjani, implored candidates to make sure they fully comply with laws guiding asset declaration, adding that it will be a sign of accountability and promotion of integrity in public service.
Rafsanjani said “As we are going into the 2023 General elections, The Executive Director CISLAC said the visit focuses on three objectives, the first objective, which will focus on the campaign season, hopes to encourage candidates running for public office to publicly declare their assets.
“The second and third objectives would urge candidates to commit to ensuring full compliance with asset declaration laws by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), as well as investigate past leaks around non-compliance with asset declaration when they get into office.
“During the political parties’ primaries, commercialization of politics was the main headline, adding that it became a pointer to how vote trading and electoral bribery can play a disruptive role in the 2023 elections.”
Rafsanjani who revealed that CISLAC has been having collaborative work with the CCB has condemned the lack of support for the agency by the government.
He added that it is very pertinent to give support to the CCB, reaffirming that if supported, the public will have much knowledge about the agency and its public assignments.
Rafsanjani, however, implored the CCB to conduct investigations into the offences on asset declaration and also forward such offences to the tribunal for necessary and adequate adjudication.
He also implored the CCB to present a delegate to work with CISLAC on the assignment, as it keeps a healthy relationship with civil society and the media.
