The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general election, describing the claims as inaccurate and speculative.
The EU, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, confirmed that it received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the elections.
Contrary to reports that the bloc declined the invitation because of worsening insecurity and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general election, the EU said it had accepted the invitation and would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM).
According to the delegation, its response to INEC, dated July 28, 2026, thanked the electoral commission for the invitation and informed it that the mission would comprise between two and four independent experts who would be formally accredited by INEC as observers.
The EU specifically rejected the reasons attributed to it in reports suggesting that insecurity and alleged hostility towards its personnel influenced its decision.
“The two alleged reasons mentioned in the press reports do not appear in the letter: these are pure speculations,” the delegation said.
It explained that an Electoral Expert Mission, like an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses whether an electoral process is conducted in accordance with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections to which the country has subscribed.
The EEM will subsequently prepare a final report containing recommendations aimed at improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future electoral processes.
According to the EU, the report will be shared with the Nigerian government and could subsequently be made available to the public if the government agrees.
Explaining why it opted for a smaller Electoral Expert Mission rather than a larger Electoral Observation Mission, the delegation said the EU decides annually on the electoral missions it deploys to partner countries following invitations.
It added that the type of mission selected depends on the circumstances of the individual country and the resources available.
“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 delegation stated.
The clarification comes as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s 2027 general election and amid growing public interest in the participation of international partners in monitoring the electoral process.
The EU also rejected suggestions that the deployment of an expert mission rather than a full observation mission represented a withdrawal of support for Nigeria’s democratic process.
It said the decision “does not affect in any way” the continued implementation of its EU-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, including assistance to the country’s electoral process.
The delegation urged the media to verify reports concerning EU positions and statements with its press and communication office before publication to avoid disseminating inaccurate information.
“The EU Delegation respectfully reminds members of the esteemed media community that, to avoid issuing such misleading information about positions or statements of the EU, they can simply check their accuracy with the press and communication office of the EU Delegation,” it said.
The statement was signed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
