NATIONAL TOP NEWS
Accredited Civil Society Organisations Honour IAWPA as Most Outstanding Foreign Election Observer, Advocate Major Reform for INEC
Civil Society Demands Institutional Funding and Recognition for Election Observers to Strengthen Nigeria's Democracy
ABUJA, NIGERIA The National Leadership of Accredited Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has bestowed its highest honour for international democratic support on the International Association of World Peace Advocates, IAWPA, naming the global body the MOST OUTSTANDING FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER AND CIVIC ENLIGHTENMENT ORGANIZATION.
The prestigious recognition was conferred at a historic national conference held on Friday, 2nd October, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. The landmark event convened a formidable assembly of civil society leaders, prodemocracy advocates, electoral stakeholders, and members of the diplomatic community.
The award is in recognition of IAWPA's unwavering commitment to credible elections, non-partisan observation, extensive voter education, and civic enlightenment campaigns that have significantly contributed to the deepening of democratic culture in Nigeria.
Spokesperson Calls for Paradigm Shift in Treatment of Election Observers In Nigeria
The highpoint of the conference was a compelling address by the World Peace Spokesperson, His Eminence, Amb. Dr. Emmanuel Nkweke, JP.
In his speech, Amb. Dr. Nkweke made a strong and urgent case for a complete paradigm shift in how the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC engages with election observers.
He decried the current practice where accredited observers, who play a pivotal role in validating and safeguarding the electoral process, are left to expend personal resources without any form of institutional support, recognition, or reward during and after elections.
“Election observers commit their personal finances and time to empower themselves for this critical national service, yet they are neither recognized nor rewarded after the electoral exercise. This must change,” Dr. Nkweke stated.
He therefore appealed directly to INEC to institutionalize a sustainable framework for supporting and funding accredited election observer missions. According to him, such funding is not a privilege but a strategic investment in the transparency, credibility, and integrity of Nigeria's electoral process.
“INEC should support and fund election observers to enhance the effective monitoring of the entire electoral process. When observers are adequately supported, we guarantee a more transparent, credible, and accountable election that reflects the true will of the people,” he added.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the conference, Amb. Dr. Nkweke extended a clarion call to all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) across the federation.
He urged them to rise beyond advocacy and become active participants in election observation, stressing that the quest for a better Nigeria is inseparable from the quest for a better electoral system.
“If we must build the Nigeria of our collective dream, then every well-meaning Civil Society Organisation must get involved in election observation. We cannot afford to be spectators in the process that determines our future. We must all take ownership of our democracy,” he charged.
The 2026 National Conference has been widely described by participants as historic and timely, setting a new agenda for electoral reform, stakeholder collaboration, and global best practices in election management as Nigeria continues its democratic consolidation.
