The European Union (EU) has dismissed reports claiming that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, clarified the position in a statement on Monday, describing the reports as inaccurate.
Mignot said the EU had, in fact, accepted INEC’s invitation and informed the electoral commission that it would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM) comprising between two and four independent experts for the 2027 polls.
The clarification followed reports claiming that the EU had declined to observe the elections because of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation and alleged hostility towards its observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general elections.
According to the EU envoy, those claims were not contained in the correspondence exchanged between the bloc and INEC.
The statement read in part: “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.”
A Formal Invite
Mignot explained that INEC formally invited the EU on April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 elections.
He said the EU responded on July 28, 2026, thanking the commission for the invitation and confirming its decision to send an Electoral Expert Mission.
The mission, according to the EU, will consist of two to four independent experts who will be formally accredited as observers by INEC.
Unlike a conventional large-scale election observation mission, the EEM will focus on assessing Nigeria’s electoral process against international, regional and national obligations and commitments relating to democratic elections.
The EU said the mission would also produce a final report containing recommendations on how Nigeria could improve its electoral framework and future elections.
The bloc explained that the report would be submitted to the Nigerian government and could subsequently be made available to the public if the government agrees.
EU Rejects Claims Over Security, Hostility
The EU also rejected suggestions that worsening insecurity and the alleged treatment of its officials after the 2023 elections influenced its decision.
According to the delegation, neither of the two reasons reportedly cited in the purported letter to INEC appeared in its actual response.
The EU described the claims as “pure speculations”.
It explained that decisions on electoral missions are made annually based on the circumstances of individual countries, available resources and the nature of the invitation received.
The delegation said its decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria was reached within that framework.
It added that the decision would be further discussed with relevant Nigerian authorities before implementation.
EU To Continue Supporting Nigeria’s Electoral Process
Beyond the planned 2027 election mission, the EU said it would continue implementing its EU-funded “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” project.
Did You Miss? ‘There’s No Xenophobia In South Africa’ – Envoy Defends Country Amid Attacks On Foreigners
The bloc said the programme would retain its focus on strengthening democratic governance and supporting Nigeria’s electoral process.
The EU’s clarification therefore puts to rest speculation that it was withdrawing from Nigeria’s 2027 electoral process because of security concerns or tensions arising from its assessment of the 2023 election.
The delegation, however, urged journalists and media organisations to verify reports concerning its positions directly with its press and communication office before publication.
It said: “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.”
The clarification comes as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, with INEC and political parties already taking steps towards the electoral process.
For the EU, the message is clear: it has not turned its back on Nigeria’s 2027 election. Rather, it plans to maintain a presence through a smaller Electoral Expert Mission while continuing its broader support for democratic governance in the country.