By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed reports that it declined an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The EU described the reports as inaccurate and speculative, stressing that it had accepted INEC’s formal invitation to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM) for the elections.
In a statement issued by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, the delegation said it received INEC’s invitation, dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 General Elections.
According to the statement, the EU responded to the invitation on July 28, 2026, thanking INEC and informing the commission that it would field an EEM comprising between two and four independent experts who would be formally accredited as observers by INEC.
The delegation explained that the EEM would assess whether the electoral process is conducted in line with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections to which Nigeria has subscribed.
It added that the mission would submit a final report containing recommendations on improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future electoral processes.
“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 said.
The delegation also rejected claims that its decision was based on Nigeria’s worsening security situation or alleged hostile treatment of EU observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general elections.
It stressed that neither of the two reasons appeared in its July 28 letter to INEC, describing them as “pure speculations.”
The EU said it takes an annual decision on electoral missions to partner countries that invite it, with the type of mission determined by the circumstances of individual countries 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 delegation stated.
It further clarified that the decision to deploy an EEM would not affect the continued implementation of the EU-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, including its support for the country’s electoral process.
The EU delegation urged members of the media to verify reports concerning its positions or statements directly with its press and communication office to avoid disseminating misleading information.
The statement was signed by Ambassador Mignot, while further inquiries were directed to the EU Delegation’s Press and Information Officer, Modestus Chukwulaka.
