EU denies rejecting INEC invitation to observe Nigeria’s 2027 elections

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

The EU said it received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the elections.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, the delegation said it responded to the invitation on July 28, 2026, confirming that the EU would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM).

The mission, according to the delegation, will comprise between two and four independent experts who will be formally accredited as observers by INEC.

The clarification followed reports claiming that the EU had declined INEC’s invitation, citing the worsening security situation in the country and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 elections.

The EU, however, described the reports as inaccurate and said the two reasons attributed to its decision were not contained in its letter to INEC.

“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 the EU makes annual decisions on electoral missions to partner countries that invite it, with the type of mission determined by the situation in each country and available resources.

The delegation said the decision to deploy an EEM to Nigeria was made on that basis and would be further discussed with relevant Nigerian authorities.

According to the EU, an Electoral Expert Mission assesses whether an electoral process complies with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections.

It added that the mission would submit a final report containing recommendations for improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future electoral processes.

The EU further clarified that the decision to deploy an EEM would not affect the implementation of its EU-funded “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” project, including its support for the electoral process.

The delegation urged media organisations to verify reports concerning the EU’s positions or statements with its press and communication office before publication.

“The European Union 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,” it said.