As the allegation of certificate forgery made against Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State by the gubernatorial candidate of All Nigerian Peoples Party,
Professor Daniel Saror, continues to generate controversies in the state, the Coalition for Good Governance for Nigeria (CGG), an independent rights group registered in the United States has set up an investigative committee to conduct an independent investigation on the controversial allegation.
In a press statement made available to our correspondent Saturday morning, the rights group maintained that it was only through a thorough and independent investigation that the truth of the matter could be realised.
The group which noted that it would not be biased or allow itself to be bought over by any of the parties concerned, maintained that it would release the outcome of its investigation in the newspapers both in Nigeria and abroad and as well post it on its website.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coalition for Good Governance, Barrister Oluwole Egunjobi, who signed the press statement added that the group was? not political, governmental nor? religious, but an independent human rights? body whose members? would? not trade their conscience for money during their mission in Nigeria.
He also noted that the team has been instructed not to visit the governor or any of the political parties in Benue State as a way to absolve itself from any complicity or allegation that might arise from any angle at the end of the investigative exercise.
The statement reads in part: “We strongly believe that it is only when an independent investigation is conducted in Nigeria that it can be determined if truly Mr. Suswam forged the certificate he presented to INEC or not.
This matter has caused a lot of political mess in the state and it is high time the truth is made known.”
The group also noted that members of its investigating team that would arrive Nigeria this week were only coming to investigate the certificate scandal and would distance itself from the allegation of non-performance made against the governor.
“Allegation of non-performance is political and this group has nothing to do with Benue politics, but allegation of certificate forgery is criminal and we will investigate and get to the root of the matter,” the statement said.
