A Nigerian civil society group has challenged former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, to provide clear answers regarding the management of public funds during his administration. This call comes in the wake of his recent appointment as the Chairman of the board of Geregu Power Plc, a major player in Nigeria's electricity sector.
Coalition Calls for Transparency and Asset Declaration
The Coalition for Public Asset Accountability (CPAA) issued a statement on Wednesday from Lagos, arguing that Yari's new strategic role has revived public scrutiny over unresolved governance and financial transparency issues from his eight-year tenure as governor. The group's President, Comrade Olumide Adebanjo, specifically urged the former governor to cooperate with oversight bodies and facilitate the public release of his asset declarations held by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The coalition emphasized that the asset declarations Yari made when he assumed office in 2011 and when he departed in 2019 should be made accessible to the public. This, they stated, is in line with constitutional provisions meant to foster transparency and build public trust in governance.
Questions of Public Trust in a Critical Sector
CPAA clarified that it is not contesting Yari's legal right to take up roles in the private sector, including within publicly listed companies like Geregu Power. However, the group insists that lingering concerns from his time in public office demand open clarification. "Our position is that former public office holders owe citizens a duty of openness," Adebanjo said. "Where questions remain about the management of public resources, transparency is the most responsible response."
The statement connected the accountability demand to the persistent developmental struggles in Zamfara State, which include:
- Widespread insecurity
- Significant infrastructure deficits
- High levels of poverty
The coalition argued that accountability for past governance decisions remains critically relevant to the state's current conditions.
Heightened Scrutiny for Strategic Appointments
The group noted that the scale and national importance of Geregu Power Plc have amplified public attention on Yari's appointment. As a major thermal power generation company, Geregu Power holds a significant role in Nigeria's electricity supply chain.
CPAA stressed that when former governors move into sectors central to national development, such as power, the expected standards of ethical conduct and transparency must be exceptionally high. This, they believe, is necessary to safeguard institutional credibility across both public and private spheres.
As of the time of the statement, there has been no public response from Abdulaziz Yari regarding these calls. Geregu Power Plc has also not commented on the remarks made by the civil society coalition.
