Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the
Acting President Professor Yemi Osinbajo to “urgently propose a bill that
would specifically regulate and bring transparency to any future
presidential library fundraising process, and make public disclosure of
major donations towards the establishment of any such library mandatory.”
The organization said that, “Osinbajo should work closely with the
leadership of the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of any
such bill into law.”
In a statement dated 5 March 2017 and signed by SERAP Senior Staff
Attorney Timothy Adewale the organization said: “The proposed bill would
give Nigerians a better view of major donations going to presidential
libraries, and provide access to information as to whether donors gain any
special Aso Rock influence. The bill would minimize the potential for a
quid pro quo, influence-peddling; and help to build trust and confidence
among a citizenry that already questions the ethics of elected officials.”
The statement reads in part: “Proposing bill that would provide
information to Nigerians and allow them to know those who help pay for
presidential libraries is not only a matter of public interest but also
crucially important to enhance transparency, accountability and strengthen
this government’s anti-corruption efforts.”
“It’s unfair to Nigerians for a sitting or former president to raise an
unlimited amount of money for a presidential library and not to have the
obligation to publish information on the major contributors. Without
transparency into donations, a president could potentially take an
official action in exchange for or in expectation of a future donation to
his or her presidential library and the public would be unaware.”
“Without openness and transparency, potential donors may seek to use
library donations as a means to secure special access or political favours
to authorities in Abuja.”
“The proposed bill should include a requirement to disclose details about
each contributor, the total value of each contribution, the source(s) of
the contribution, and the date of each contribution. Any such information
must be publicly and widely published, including on a website that is free
for the public to access and that is searchable, sortable, and
downloadable.”
“The bill should also prohibit the making of a contribution through a
corporation or other legal entity that may be used to conceal the identity
of the person actually providing the contribution.”
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo would serve public interest by making
a voluntary disclosure of every single donation, particularly large
donations, to his newly launched presidential library. This would
contribute to greater openness, something that the presidential library
seeks to promote about the work and achievements of Obasanjo while in
government.”