Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has initiated talks with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to subject prospective candidates to rigorous scrutiny of their manifestoes and development agendas.

The initiative, championed by the Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), led by Kunle Yusuff, is designed to assess candidates at all levels, national to grassroots, on their plans for sustainable development, climate action, and climate financing, among other priorities.

Speaking at the inauguration of the National Committee for the Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026 in Abuja on Monday, Yusuff said CSOs are evolving beyond their traditional role as election observers to actively engaging candidates, with the aim of enabling voters to make informed choices.

He stressed that the era of electing unqualified individuals into public office must give way to a more accountable and performance-driven political culture.

“As CSOs, our mandate is clear, to hold government accountable on issues of food security, fairness, and good governance. By 2027, CSOs will also be accredited by INEC as election observers,” he said.

Yusuff added that, for the first time, CSOs would collaborate to support INEC in voter education, advocacy, and the organisation of debates across all tiers of government.

“We will create a platform open to all Nigerians, where candidates, from presidential to local government levels, will articulate their manifestoes, particularly in relation to sustainable development goals, climate action, and financing,” he said.

He further explained that the proposed Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026 would harness the collective strength of CSOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) to drive national development.

According to him, Nigeria is home to an estimated 60,000 non-governmental organisations, including community- and faith-based groups, all working to provide oversight and ensure that the dividends of governance reach the grassroots.