The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has confirmed plans to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM) to monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The EU said the mission will comprise between two and four independent experts who will be formally accredited as election observers by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The clarification followed media reports claiming that the EU had rejected an invitation from INEC to observe the elections due to worsening insecurity in Nigeria and alleged hostile treatment of its observers following the release of its final report on the 2023 general elections.
In a statement issued on Monday by Modestus Chukwulaka, the EU Delegation said it was surprised by what it described as “inaccurate information” contained in the reports.
The delegation explained that it received a formal invitation from INEC, dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 general elections.
According to the EU, it responded to the invitation on July 28, 2026, thanking INEC and confirming its decision to send an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria.
“The EU Delegation confirms that it received a formal invitation (not a request) from the INEC, dated 17 April 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 General Elections,” the statement said.
“In its response dated 28 July 2026, this Delegation thanked the INEC for its kind invitation and informed that the EU will field an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM), composed of two to four independent experts, who will formally be accredited as observers with the INEC.”
The EU delegation therefore urged media organisations to verify information with its Communication Office before publishing reports concerning its activities and official engagements.
The clarification effectively dismissed reports that security concerns or alleged hostility toward its observers had prompted the EU to decline INEC’s invitation.
The 2027 elections are expected to be closely watched by international partners as Nigeria prepares for another major electoral exercise.
