Civil society organisations have responded to comments by United States Congressman Riley Moore that the U.S. will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, rejecting suggestions that the remarks amount to foreign interference.
According to a Leadership report published on Monday, July 6, 2026, Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, said during an interview with NoireTV that Washington would closely observe the conduct and credibility of Nigeria’s next general elections.
Reacting to the comments, Yiaga Africa Executive Director Samson Itodo said there is a clear distinction between election monitoring and interference. He explained that observing electoral processes, assessing their transparency and commenting on their credibility are standard international diplomatic practices, while interference involves attempts to manipulate the process or influence election outcomes.
Itodo stressed that the responsibility for delivering free, fair and credible elections rests with Nigerians and key democratic institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, the media and the electorate.
Also commenting, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Chairman of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said the congressman’s remarks reflect sustained international interest in Nigeria’s democratic progress. He added that impartial international observation can strengthen public confidence in the electoral process while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.
