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The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has denied reports that it is withdrawing from observing Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The EU said it would instead deploy an Electoral Expert Mission comprising two to four independent experts to assess the electoral process.
In a statement on Monday signed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, the delegation said it was surprised by reports claiming that it had rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the elections.
The EU urged journalists to verify reports about its positions directly with its press and communication office.
It wrote, “The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has noted with surprise inaccurate press reports published today stating that it had sent a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declining an invitation to observe the 2027 polls in Nigeria and citing in the correspondence two reasons for this decision: the worsening security situation across the country and the hostile treatment of its observers and officials after the publication of its final report on the 2023 general election.”
The delegation said it received INEC’s formal invitation dated April 17, 2026, and responded on July 28, informing the commission that it would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission.
According to the EU, the mission will comprise two to four independent experts who will be formally accredited as observers by INEC.
The delegation explained that the mission would assess whether the electoral process complies with international, regional and national obligations on democratic elections to which Nigeria is committed.
It added that the mission would produce a final report containing recommendations for improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future elections, which would be shared with the government and could be made public with its consent.
“An EEM, like an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses whether the electoral process is conducted in line with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on the conduct of democratic elections to which the country has subscribed. The EEM submits a final report with recommendations on how to improve 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,” it said.
The EU also rejected reports that worsening insecurity and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following its 2023 election report influenced the decision.
It said the two reasons cited in reports were not contained in its correspondence with INEC and amounted to speculation.
“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,” it said.
The delegation explained that the EU reviews its electoral support missions to partner countries annually and determines the type of mission to deploy based on the circumstances of each country and available resources.
It said the decision to send an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria was made on that basis and would be further discussed with relevant Nigerian authorities.
“It is on this basis that the decision to conduct an EEM in Nigeria has been taken and will be further consulted with the relevant Nigerian authorities for its implementation,” the statement said.
The EU stressed that the decision would not affect its broader support for Nigeria’s democratic and electoral processes.
It said its EU-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, including assistance for the electoral process, would continue.
