EU Denies Boycott Of Nigeria’s 2027 Election Observation

The European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS has denied reports that it plans to boycott Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Daily Post and Punch reported that the EU ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, clarified the bloc’s position in a statement on Monday after reports claimed the EU had declined an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The EU said the reports were inaccurate. Punch reported that the delegation said it was surprised by claims that it had sent a letter to INEC turning down election observation because of insecurity and alleged unfriendly treatment during the 2023 polls.

The delegation said it would instead deploy an Electoral Expert Mission, made up of two to four independent experts. That is different from a full election observation mission, but the EU said the arrangement should not be described as a boycott.

The clarification follows public debate over the role of foreign observers in Nigeria’s next general elections. INEC is expected to run the elections in 2027.

Sources: Daily Post, Punch