EU Denies Rejecting INEC Invitation, Confirms Electoral Expert Mission for 2027 Polls

The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed media reports claiming it declined an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, describing the reports as inaccurate and misleading.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the EU clarified that it received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, and responded on July 28, 2026, confirming that it would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM), not a full Electoral Observation Mission, for the elections.

According to the EU Delegation, the Electoral Expert Mission will comprise two to four independent experts who will be formally accredited by INEC as election observers. The mission will assess whether the electoral process complies with international, regional, and national democratic standards and will produce a final report containing recommendations to improve Nigeria’s electoral framework and future election processes. The report will first be shared with the Nigerian government and may subsequently be made public with the government’s consent.

The Delegation also refuted claims that it cited worsening insecurity across Nigeria or alleged hostility towards its officials following the release of its 2023 election report as reasons for declining election observation. It stressed that such claims were never contained in its correspondence with INEC and described them as mere speculation. The EU explained that decisions on election-related missions are made annually based on invitations from partner countries, prevailing circumstances, and available resources, adding that the decision to send an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria was reached through this established process.

The EU further assured that the deployment of the Electoral Expert Mission would not affect the implementation of its ongoing “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” project, including programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, urged media organisations to verify information relating to the European Union through the Delegation’s Press and Communication Office before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.