By JKNewsMedia
THE EUROPEAN Union has confirmed that it will deploy an Electoral Expert Mission for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, dismissing reports that it had declined an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS said it received a formal invitation from INEC, dated 17 April 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 polls.
In its response dated 28 July 2026, the delegation thanked INEC for the invitation and informed the commission that the EU would field an Electoral Expert Mission, with its members formally accredited as observers by INEC.
The delegation said the mission, like an Electoral Observation Mission, 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 EEM would submit a final report containing recommendations on improving 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 delegation said.
The EU Delegation rejected reports that it had declined the invitation because of the worsening security situation in Nigeria or the alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general election.
It said the two reasons cited in the reports did not appear in its letter to INEC and described them as “pure speculations”.
The delegation said the European Union decides every year on electoral missions to partner countries that issue invitations, as well as the type of mission to be deployed, based on individual situations 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,” it said.
The statement was signed by Gautier MIGNOT, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, while Modestus CHUKWULAKA, Press and Information Officer of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, was listed as the contact for further enquiries.
Also, the delegation said the decision would not affect the continuation of the EU funded project, “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria”, including its support for the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the EU urged members of the media to verify the accuracy of reports concerning its positions or statements with its press and communication office.
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