European Union Refutes Withdrawal from Monitoring Nigeria's 2027 Electoral Process

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has categorically denied rumors of its withdrawal from observing the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, announcing instead the deployment of an Electoral Expert Mission consisting of two to four independent experts.

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This move comes as a surprise, given recent reports claiming the EU had declined an invitation to observe the elections, which the delegation has vehemently refuted in a statement released on Monday.

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The EU Delegation expressed surprise at the inaccurate press reports, which alleged that it had written to the Independent National Electoral Commission citing two reasons for declining the invitation: the deteriorating security situation and the hostile treatment of EU observers and officials after the 2023 election report.

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The statement, signed by EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Gautier Mignot, urged journalists to verify reports concerning EU positions directly with its press and communication office to avoid spreading misinformation.

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The delegation revealed that it received a formal invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission on April 17, 2026, and responded on July 28, informing the commission of its decision to field an Electoral Expert Mission.

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The mission will comprise two to four independent experts who will be formally accredited as observers by the Independent National Electoral Commission, marking a significant development in the EU's engagement with Nigeria's electoral process.

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An Electoral Expert Mission, similar to an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses the electoral process to determine if it aligns with international, regional, and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections, and submits a final report with recommendations for improvement.

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The EU Delegation emphasized that the final report will be shared with the government, and potentially with the wider public if agreed upon, highlighting the EU's commitment to transparency and cooperation.

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The delegation flatly rejected reports that worsening insecurity and hostile treatment of its observers and officials after the 2023 election report were factors in its decision, labeling these claims as "pure speculations" with no basis in fact.

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The European Union decides annually on the type of electoral mission to deploy to partner countries, taking into account individual circumstances and available resources, and has chosen to conduct an Electoral Expert Mission in Nigeria based on this framework.

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The decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission will be further consulted with relevant Nigerian authorities to ensure its successful implementation, demonstrating the EU's ongoing commitment to Nigeria's democratic development.

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The EU stressed that this decision will not impact its broader support for Nigeria's democratic and electoral processes, including the implementation of the EU-funded project "Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria" and its related electoral dimension.