What Is Really Behind The Allegations? GOMEP-NG Demands Independent Probe, Wants Officials to Step Aside

…Warns Against Another National Scandal Ending Without Accountability

The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to take urgent action over allegations involving disputed budgetary entries, alleged intimidation, and claims of financial demands linked to a public office.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, and National Secretary, Comrade Clinton Uba, the Guild warned that allowing officials occupying sensitive positions to remain in office while serious allegations are under investigation could erode public trust and cast doubt on the credibility of any outcome.
GOMEP-NG stressed that stepping aside during an investigation should not be seen as an admission of wrongdoing, but rather as a responsible step that protects the integrity of the process and enables investigators to carry out their work without interference.
According to the Guild, transparency and accountability must take precedence over political considerations if public confidence in governance is to be preserved.
“Public trust cannot survive where allegations are treated as normal. The investigation must be allowed to breathe, and the truth must be allowed to emerge without fear or interference,” the statement read.
The Guild further cautioned against allowing the matter to become yet another high-profile controversy that dominates public discourse before quietly fading away without tangible action or consequences.
To ensure credibility, GOMEP-NG urged President Tinubu to constitute an independent investigative panel comprising respected professionals and institutions capable of conducting a transparent, impartial, and thorough inquiry.
The media body insisted that the panel should be free from individuals perceived as political loyalists or persons whose affiliations could compromise public confidence in the process. Instead, it recommended the inclusion of representatives from civil society organisations, forensic auditing firms, anti-corruption agencies, professional media bodies, and, where necessary, international observers.
GOMEP-NG maintained that Nigerians deserve an investigation that is transparent, fearless, and insulated from political pressure, intimidation, or institutional bias.
The Guild concluded that the true strength of a democracy lies in the willingness of its institutions to uphold accountability and the rule of law, regardless of the status, influence, or office held by those involved.