The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the 2027 general elections.
Reports had claimed that the EU would not deploy an election observation mission for the polls, citing concerns over worsening insecurity in Nigeria and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following its 2023 election observation mission.
However, in a statement issued on Monday, August 10, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said the reports were inaccurate.
Mignot explained that the EU had accepted INEC’s invitation but would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM), rather than a conventional election observation mission.
According to the delegation, INEC formally invited the EU to deploy observers for the 2027 elections in a letter dated April 17, 2026. The EU said it responded to the invitation on July 28, informing the electoral commission of its decision to deploy an EEM.
The mission will comprise between two and four independent experts who will be formally accredited as observers by INEC.
The EU explained that it makes annual decisions on the type of electoral missions to deploy to partner countries that extend invitations, taking into account the circumstances of each country and the resources available.
“It is on this basis that the decision to conduct an EEM in Nigeria has been taken,” the delegation said.
The EU added that discussions with relevant Nigerian authorities would continue on the implementation of the mission ahead of the 2027 elections.
It stressed that the decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission would not affect its broader support for Nigeria’s democratic process.
The delegation cited its EU-funded “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” project as part of its continued engagement with Nigeria’s democratic institutions and processes.