The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has denied reports that it is withdrawing from observing Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
It however, says it will instead deploy an Electoral Expert Mission comprising two to four independent experts.
In a statement on Monday, the EU Delegation said it was surprised by reports claiming that it had written the Independent National Electoral Commission declining an invitation to observe the elections.
This is as the delegation also urged journalists to verify reports concerning EU positions directly with its press and communication office.
The statement was signed by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot.
It wrote, “The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has noted with surprise inaccurate press reports published today stating that it had sent a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declining an invitation to observe the 2027 polls in Nigeria and citing in the correspondence two reasons for this decision: the worsening security situation across the country and the hostile treatment of its observers and officials after the publication of its final report on the 2023 general election.”
The delegation said it received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, and responded on July 28, informing the commission that the EU would field an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM).
The mission, according to the EU, will comprise two to four independent experts who will be formally accredited as observers by INEC.
Explaining the role of the mission, the delegation said: “An EEM, like an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses whether the electoral process is conducted in line with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on the conduct of democratic elections to which the country has subscribed. The EEM submits a final report with recommendations on how to improve the 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 EU Delegation also rejected reports that worsening insecurity and the alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials after its 2023 election report were reasons for its decision.
“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,” it said.
The delegation explained that the European Union decides annually on the electoral missions it sends to partner countries that extend invitations, as well as the type of mission to be deployed, based on individual circumstances and 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 statement said.
The EU stressed that the decision would not affect its wider support for Nigeria’s democratic and electoral processes.
“This decision does not affect in any way the continuation of the implementation of the EU-funded project ‘Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria’ including its dimension of support to the electoral process,” it said.
