The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) to ensure credible, objective and non-partisan election monitoring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, gave the charge on Wednesday at a hybrid capacity-building training for members of the National Anti-Corruption Coalition (NACC) in Abuja.
The training, themed “Strengthening Civil Society Capacity for Election Monitoring, Improved Funding, and Grassroots Communication of the Commission’s Impact,” was organised to address challenges affecting civil society organisations and strengthen their contributions to the fight against corruption.
Aliyu said the recent NACC Summit had identified inadequate training, limited funding opportunities, weaknesses in monitoring and reporting, and the need to strengthen institutional integrity and public trust as major challenges confronting member organisations.
He described the training as a practical response to the identified concerns rather than another routine exercise.
“Our objective is not simply to convene another training session, but to equip participants with relevant knowledge and practical skills that will strengthen their organisations and enhance their contribution to the national anti-corruption effort,” he said.
The ICPC chairman identified sustainable funding as a major challenge for many CSOs, urging participants to take advantage of sessions on proposal writing and grant seeking to understand donor requirements and improve their financial management practices.
He, however, stressed that access to funding must be matched by accountability and transparency.
“Organisations that promote transparency must themselves demonstrate responsible financial management, proper documentation, measurable results and openness to scrutiny,” he said.
On election monitoring, Aliyu said civil society organisations had a significant role to play in promoting electoral transparency by observing electoral processes within the law, documenting developments objectively, educating voters and reporting concerns through appropriate channels.
He urged NACC members to familiarise themselves with relevant electoral laws, regulations and guidelines, stressing that their activities must be guided by impartiality, professionalism and respect for the law.
“Election monitoring should never be driven by partisan interests or unverified allegations. Rather, it should promote transparency, strengthen public confidence and encourage respect for established electoral procedures,” he said.
Aliyu also urged coalition members to communicate the impact of anti-corruption interventions effectively to citizens at the grassroots, using traditional and digital media to disseminate evidence-based information responsibly.
He further advised participants to prioritise digital security, data protection and legal safeguards to protect sensitive information and sources
The ICPC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to collaborating with civil society organisations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media and development partners, noting that the fight against corruption could not be left to government institutions alone.
“The credibility of the anti-corruption movement depends on the integrity of those who lead and drive it. We must practise the values we promote,” he added.
Earlier, the Head of Stakeholders Mobilisation, Dr Oluwasina Babasola, said effective proposal writing was essential to the sustainability and growth of CSOs, particularly in securing funding for anti-corruption initiatives across the country.
He observed that many organisations had viable ideas but struggled to translate them into fundable proposals, credible budgets, measurable indicators and transparent financial reports capable of attracting sustainable partnerships.
On election observation, Babasola said transparency was essential to credible elections, warning that vote-buying and the abuse of public resources undermined public confidence in the electoral process.
He urged CSOs to promote voter education impartially ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that election observers must remain objective and non-partisan while demonstrating adequate knowledge of relevant electoral laws.
Babasola also reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to working with NACC, INEC and development partners to promote integrity, transparency and accountability.
Representatives of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), Dr Umaru Yakubu, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Princess Chiffero, among others, urged NACC members to avoid common pitfalls in election monitoring and adhere to professional standards.
