Senator Ndume Urges President Tinubu to Tackle Unexplained Wealth with Executive Order

Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue an Executive Order aimed at curbing the rise of unexplained wealth in Nigeria. In a recent interview, Ndume praised President Tinubu’s directive for all proceeds from crude oil sales to be deposited into a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.

Ndume emphasized the need for an Executive Order against unexplained wealth, stating that it would demonstrate the government’s commitment to fighting corruption. He expressed concern about the trend of sudden wealth acquisition, particularly among prominent individuals in the political sphere, which he believes is detrimental to the country.

According to Ndume, the focus should be on national issues rather than personal matters. He urged President Tinubu to extend the scope of his directive to include all government agencies responsible for revenue generation. Ndume stressed the importance of proper monitoring and accountability, suggesting that keeping government funds in commercial banks without adequate oversight poses risks.

Regarding President Tinubu’s order on crude oil sales, Ndume commended the decision but urged for its expansion to encompass all revenue-generating government agencies. He emphasized the constitutional requirement for agencies to pay their revenues into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) and present their budgets to the National Assembly for scrutiny.

Ndume highlighted specific agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), urging them to follow the example set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and deposit their revenues into the CRF. He emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions in managing government funds.

In conclusion, Ndume affirmed his support for President Tinubu’s decisions, describing them as constitutional and in line with good governance principles. He emphasized the importance of accountability and proper financial management in ensuring the effective utilization of government resources.

The Guardian