The European Union has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States, Gautier Mignot, said on Monday that reports suggesting the bloc had declined INEC’s invitation were inaccurate and speculative.
Mignot said the EU received INEC’s invitation in April and subsequently communicated its decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission to Nigeria for the elections.
According to him, the planned mission will comprise between two and four independent electoral experts.
The clarification followed reports that the EU had declined to send a full election observation mission to Nigeria, with some reports linking the alleged decision to security concerns and what was described as unfavourable treatment of EU officials following the 2023 elections.
But the ambassador said those explanations were not contained in the EU’s response to INEC.
He described the claims as speculation, stressing that the size and nature of EU electoral missions are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the circumstances of individual countries and available resources.
“The European Union decides every year on electoral missions to be sent to partner countries, issuing invitations to the EU and, if the decision is positive, the kind of mission to be sent to each of them, depending on individual situations and available resources,” Mignot said.
He added that the decision to conduct an Electoral Expert Mission in Nigeria had already been taken and would be implemented in consultation with relevant Nigerian authorities.
The clarification effectively counters reports suggesting that the EU was withdrawing from election observation in Nigeria or ending its long-standing engagement with the country’s electoral process.
The EU has observed Nigerian elections over the years, making its electoral missions an important part of international scrutiny of the country’s democratic process.
Mignot further stressed that the decision concerning the 2027 election mission would not affect the bloc’s broader support for democratic governance in Nigeria.
He said the EU-funded Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project would continue, including its component supporting the electoral process.
The development comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, with INEC already taking steps towards the conduct of the polls.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
