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 monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, describing the claims as inaccurate and speculative.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the EU said it received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, requesting the deployment of observers for the 2027 elections.
The delegation said it accepted the invitation and would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM), contrary to reports that the bloc had declined the request over worsening insecurity and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the release of its final report on the 2023 elections.
According to the EU, its July 28, 2026 response to INEC thanked the commission for the invitation and confirmed plans to deploy between two and four independent experts, who would be formally accredited as observers by INEC.
It stressed that the reasons attributed to the EU in media reports were not contained in its response to INEC.
“The two alleged reasons mentioned in the press reports do not appear in the letter: these are pure speculations,” the delegation said.
The EU explained that an Electoral Expert Mission, like an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses whether an electoral process complies with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections to which the country is party.
The mission is also expected to produce a final report containing recommendations on strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and improving future electoral processes.
The EU said the report would be shared with the Nigerian government and could subsequently be released to the wider public subject to the government’s agreement.
Explaining its decision to deploy an expert mission rather than a larger electoral observation mission, the delegation said the EU annually determines the nature of electoral missions to partner countries that invite its participation.
It said the type of mission is determined by the circumstances in each country as well as available resources.
“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 political parties, electoral stakeholders and other actors intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with growing attention on the role of international partners in monitoring the electoral process.
The EU also rejected any suggestion that the decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission amounted to a withdrawal of its support for democratic governance or Nigeria’s electoral 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 media organisations to verify reports concerning the EU’s positions and statements directly with its Press and Communication Office before publication.
The statement, signed by EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, effectively dispelled reports that the bloc had rejected INEC’s invitation and confirmed that the EU intends to maintain an independent expert presence during Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
