The European Union has dismissed reports that it plans to boycott Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, saying it has accepted an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe the polls.
The EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS said it would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission comprising between two and four independent experts for the 2027 elections.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja on Monday.
According to the statement, INEC invited the EU on April 17, 2026, to deploy an election observation mission for the 2027 general elections.
The EU said it responded to the invitation on July 28, thanking the commission and informing it that it would send an Electoral Expert Mission.
The experts will be accredited as observers by INEC and will assess Nigeria’s electoral process against the country’s international, regional and national commitments on democratic elections.
The mission will also prepare a final report containing recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework and improving future elections.
The EU, however, clarified that the decision to deploy a smaller expert mission should not be interpreted as a boycott of the elections.
It also rejected speculation that the decision was influenced by worsening insecurity in Nigeria or alleged hostility towards EU observers and officials following the release of its final report on the 2023 general elections.
“These are pure speculations,” the EU delegation said, noting that none of the alleged reasons was contained in its letter to INEC.
The delegation explained that the EU makes annual decisions on electoral missions to partner countries that extend invitations, taking into account the circumstances of each country and the resources available.
It added that discussions on the Electoral Expert Mission would continue with relevant Nigerian authorities.
The EU further said its decision would not affect the implementation of its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria project, including its electoral support component.
The clarification comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue. INEC formally released the timetable and schedule of activities for the elections in February 2026, fixing the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027.
The EU urged media organisations to verify reports concerning its positions and official statements with its Press and Communication Office to prevent the publication of misleading information.
