EU Denies Boycotting Nigeria’s 2027 Elections

The reports, which were widely circulated by some media organisations and political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had portrayed the alleged withdrawal as a major setback for Nigeria’s electoral process.

The European Union (EU) has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, describing the reports as inaccurate.

Gautier Mignot, EU ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), clarified the bloc’s position in a statement on Monday.

The reports had claimed that the EU decided against deploying an election observation mission because of worsening insecurity in Nigeria and what was described as hostile treatment during its 2023 election observation exercise.

The reports, which were widely circulated by some media organisations and political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had portrayed the alleged withdrawal as a major setback for Nigeria’s electoral process.

The PDP described the reported decision as “historic”, arguing that it represented another vote of no confidence in the country’s election management under the APC-led administration.

But Mignot said the reports did not accurately reflect the EU’s position.

He said the EU delegation received a formal invitation from INEC, dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 general elections.

According to him, the delegation responded on July 28, thanking INEC for the invitation and informing the commission that the EU would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM), comprising between two and four independent experts who would be formally accredited as observers by INEC.

Mignot explained that the EEM, like a full Electoral Observation Mission, would assess whether Nigeria’s electoral process complies with international, regional and national obligations and commitments relating to democratic elections.

The mission would also submit a final report containing recommendations on improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future electoral processes.

The ambassador said the report would be shared with the Nigerian government and could be made public if the government agreed.

He stressed that the reasons cited in media reports for the alleged EU withdrawal did not appear in the bloc’s official response to INEC.

“The two alleged reasons mentioned in the press reports do not appear in the letter: these are pure speculations,” Mignot said.

He added that the EU decides annually which electoral missions to deploy to partner countries that extend invitations, as well as the type of mission to be sent, based on the circumstances in each country and the resources available.

“It is on this basis that the decision to conduct an EEM in Nigeria has been taken,” he said, adding that the EU would continue consultations with relevant Nigerian authorities on the mission’s implementation.

Mignot urged the public and media to be cautious about reports attributed to the EU, advising that the bloc’s positions and statements should be confirmed directly with its delegation.