The European Union has denied reports that it rejected an invitation to monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
In a statement by its Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, the EU said the report was inaccurate and that it had accepted an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The EU said it received the formal invitation on April 17, 2026, and responded on July 28, confirming plans to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission, EEM, made up of two to four independent experts.
According to the EU, the mission will assess Nigeria’s electoral process against international, regional and national democratic standards and later issue recommendations.
The EU dismissed claims that worsening insecurity and the alleged hostile treatment of its officials after the 2023 election report influenced its decision, describing such claims as speculation.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting democratic governance and the electoral process in Nigeria, while urging media practitioners to verify information with its Press and Communications Office before publication.
