2027: EU accepts INEC invitation, to deploy 2–4 electoral experts to Nigeria

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

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

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

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

“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 be formally accredited as observers with the INEC,” Mignot said.

He explained that the Electoral Expert Mission would assess Nigeria’s electoral process against international, regional and national obligations and commitments relating to democratic elections.

The mission is also expected to prepare a final report containing recommendations on improving Nigeria’s 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,” the ambassador said.

EU Rejects Security Speculation

Mignot also dismissed reports suggesting that the decision not to deploy a larger Electoral Observation Mission was linked to Nigeria’s worsening security situation or alleged hostile treatment of EU observers and officials following the publication of the bloc’s final report on the 2023 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 consideration the circumstances in each country and the resources available before determining whether to deploy a mission and the appropriate format.

He said the decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission in Nigeria was reached through that process.

Mignot added that consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities would continue on the implementation of the mission ahead of the 2027 elections.

He also 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 media organisations 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 spread of misleading information about the EU’s activities and positions in Nigeria.

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