The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has directed all political and public office holders in the state to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCD) for transparency.

Governor Radda, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, gave the directive when he received the Acting Chairman of the CCB.

According to the governor, there is the need for public officers to first declare their assets to the CCB, if only they are interested in public service.

He assured the CCD boss that all political and public office holders in the state would be encouraged to declare their assets, emphasising that such transparency is essential for governance.

Earlier, Aliyu-Kankia warned that public office holders concealing assets without proper declaration would forfeit them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He further outlined penalties for making anticipatory or false declarations, including a ten-year ban from holding political offices or vacating current positions.

He said: “This includes addressing issues like conflict of interest, bribery, corruption, prohibition of employment in foreign countries, membership in specific organisations, operating foreign bank accounts, and restriction of business activities to farming.”

Aliyu-Kankia, however, highlighted the Bureau’s role in not only overseeing asset declarations, but also ensuring compliance with the code of conduct for public officers. (THISDAY)