The European Union has ruled out deploying a full election observation mission to Nigeria for the 2027 general elections, citing deteriorating security situation and what it describes as the hostile treatment of its observers and officials in the 2023 elections.
The EU conveyed its decision in response to a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC inviting the EU to observe the upcoming 2027 Election.
The decision by the EU ends a run of full-scale election observation missions to Nigeria spanning more than two decades.
The EU also stated that rather than the substantial deployment mounted in previous election cycles, it would station only a small number of officials in Abuja to monitor developments and report back to Brussels.
INEC had written to the EU requesting observers for the 2027 exercise. The commission has issued similar invitations ahead of every general election since the return to democracy in 1999.
The EU observed Nigeria’s elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. The 2023 deployment was described by its chief observer, Irish member of the European Parliament Barry Andrews, as the seventh such mission since 1999.
For the 2023 election, a core team of 11 experts arrived in Abuja on January 11, six weeks before the presidential poll. Forty long-term observers were subsequently deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Short-term observers joined the mission shortly before election day, bringing the total number of accredited observers to 110 from 25 EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Canada.
A delegation of the European Parliament also joined the mission for the presidential and National Assembly elections. The team remained in the country until April 11, weeks after the February 25 presidential and March 18 governorship elections.
The mission presented its final report in Abuja in June 2023. The report contained 25 recommendations across six priority areas.
It identified what it described as enduring systemic weaknesses and said shortcomings in electoral law and administration had hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged public trust in INEC.
The 2027 general election is scheduled for February, with INEC already undertaking preparations, including continuous voter registration and a review of polling unit distribution.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
