EU denies rejecting INEC invitation to observe 2027 elections

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the 2027 general elections.

The EU said, contrary to the reports, it had accepted INEC’s invitation and would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM) comprising between two and four independent experts to Nigeria for the elections.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, describing the reports that the EU had declined the invitation as inaccurate.

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According to him, INEC formally invited the EU on April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 general elections, and the EU responded to the invitation on July 28, 2026.

“In its response dated 28 July 2026, this Delegation thanked the INEC for its kind invitation and informed that the EU will field an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM), composed of two to four independent experts, who will formally be accredited as observers with the INEC,” Mignot said.

He explained that the EEM, like an Electoral Observation Mission, would assess whether Nigeria’s electoral process complied with international, regional and national obligations and commitments relating to democratic elections.

He added that the mission would submit a final report containing recommendations on improving the electoral framework and future electoral processes.

“The report will be shared with the government, and if they agree, it can also be released to the wider public,” he said.

Mignot also rejected reports that the EU’s decision not to deploy a larger electoral observation mission was based on the worsening security situation in Nigeria or alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general elections.

“The EU Delegation further underlines that the two alleged reasons mentioned in the press reports do not appear in the letter: these are pure speculations,” he said.

The Ambassador explained that the EU reviews electoral missions to partner countries annually, taking into account individual circumstances and available resources before deciding whether to deploy a mission and the appropriate type of mission.

He said it was on this basis that the EU decided to conduct an EEM in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities would continue regarding its implementation.

Mignot further clarified that the decision to deploy an EEM would not affect the continuation of the EU-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, including its support for the country’s electoral process.

The EU Delegation urged members of the media to verify reports concerning its positions and statements directly with its press and communication office before publication.

It said such verification would help prevent the dissemination of misleading information about the EU’s activities and positions in Nigeria.