The European Union denies reports that it declined an invitation from Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC, to observe the country’s 2027 general elections. The EU says the claims are inaccurate and that it is planning an observer activity rather than withdrawing.
In a statement, EU ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS Gautier Mignot says the EU received a formal invitation dated 17 April 2026 and replied on 28 July 2026. He says the EU will deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM) made up of two to four independent experts, who would be formally accredited as observers with INEC. The EU also disputes press reports that it cited “worsening insecurity” and “hostile treatment” after its 2023 election observation mission.
Both sources report that the allegation was widely circulated by some media and political actors, including Nigeria’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which called any alleged withdrawal a “vote of no confidence” in election management. The EU’s position, as described by both outlets, is that it decides each year on electoral missions based on invitations, available resources, and the specific context in partner countries, and that it is consulting Nigerian authorities on implementation.
