Reactions have trailed the United States’ (US) indication of interest in closely monitoring Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
US Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, while responding to questions on Nigeria’s next general election, said the conduct of the polls would be an issue Washington would be paying “very close attention to”.
He made the remarks in an interview with NoireTV posted on the platform’s social media pages on Sunday.
When asked whether the United States could do more to support credible elections in Nigeria, Moore said:
“We’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed… myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to this.”
On their reactions, prominent civil society organisations, including Yiaga Africa and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), have allayed fears that such monitoring would translate into interference in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The executive director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said the statement by Congressman Riley Moore should not automatically be interpreted as interference.
He noted that it is common for governments and international partners to closely follow elections in strategically important countries like Nigeria, adding that international attention to the 2027 polls is expected.
According to him, “The critical distinction is between monitoring and interference.”
He explained that while monitoring, expressing concern about electoral integrity, or commenting on election conduct falls within normal diplomatic practice, interference would involve actions aimed at influencing the outcome of the electoral process.
Itodo further stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections would not be determined by external actors, but by Nigerian institutions, particularly INEC, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, the media, civil society and citizens.
He added that: “International scrutiny may reinforce the importance of transparency and accountability, but safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy remains first and foremost the responsibility of Nigerians.”
On its part, CISLAC/TMG said the US Congressman’s remarks reflect sustained international interest in Nigeria’s democratic stability and electoral credibility.
The executive director of CISLAC and Chairman of TMG, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said:
“Nigeria must conduct free, fair, peaceful and credible elections. Our institutions… must play an active positive role.”
He stressed that while international attention is expected, the true test of democracy lies in building institutions that inspire confidence both locally and internationally.
According to him, “The fact that foreign governments are expressing interest in Nigeria’s elections should serve as a reminder to our leaders that democratic legitimacy is earned through transparent, inclusive and accountable electoral processes.”
Rafsanjani listed key challenges undermining elections in Nigeria to include vote buying, abuse of state resources, political violence, misinformation, electoral impunity and weak enforcement of campaign finance rules.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen logistics, voter education and transparency in technology deployment, while insisting on institutional independence.
He also called on security agencies to remain neutral and professional, and urged political parties to embrace issue-based campaigns and reject violence and hate speech.
“We therefore urge INEC to commence early preparations by strengthening electoral logistics, improving voter education, ensuring transparency in technology deployment, and maintaining independence from political interference,” he said.
Rafsanjani added that credible elections in 2027 would shape Nigeria’s democratic reputation, economic confidence and global standing, noting that CISLAC/TMG welcomes US interest in supporting a transparent electoral process.