By Nnasom David

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) on Thursday called for transparency in the Senate’s investigation of the petition submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The groups demanded that the proceedings be broadcast live to ensure public trust and accountability.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, CNPP’s Public Relations Officer, Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, emphasized that the ongoing dispute between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President has raised concerns about the Senate’s integrity and Nigeria’s reputation.

The coalition noted that while the Senate President allowed the petition to proceed, certain reactions from principal officers suggested the need for a more transparent approach. They stressed that no official should be allowed to undermine the investigative process.

The groups made the following demands:

Impartial Investigation: The Senate Committee handling the case must operate with transparency and fairness. They insisted that broadcasting the proceedings live would foster accountability.

Fair Hearing: The Senate must ensure that due process is followed and that no party is unfairly treated during the investigation.

Recusal of Biased Officials: The coalition urged that any Senate official perceived to have a conflict of interest should step aside to preserve the integrity of the process.

The CSOs reiterated that Nigeria’s reputation and the credibility of the Senate depend on a fair and transparent resolution of the matter. They urged lawmakers to uphold justice, accountability, and the rule of law in handling the investigation.