2027: PDP Says EU Election Monitoring Move Raises Fresh Concerns Over Nigeria’s Electoral Process

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over the European Union’s decision to deploy an Electoral Expert Mission rather than a conventional full election observation mission for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The party described the development as a warning sign for the credibility of the forthcoming polls, arguing that it reflects concerns about insecurity and the treatment of election observers in Nigeria.

The PDP’s reaction followed reports that the European Union was pulling back from deploying a full election observation mission for the 2027 elections.

However, the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS clarified on Monday that it had accepted an invitation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission rather than a conventional Election Observation Mission.

The clarification means the EU will still have an electoral mission in Nigeria, although its composition and scope will differ from the full-scale missions deployed during previous elections.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the development had reinforced concerns about the preparedness and credibility of the 2027 elections.

The party said the EU had cited worsening insecurity and what it described as hostile treatment following its 2023 election observation mission as factors behind the change.

The opposition party also accused the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of taking steps that it said were designed to weaken political opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The PDP alleged that the government had used what it described as state-funded crises within opposition parties, coercion and inducements of opposition governors and lawmakers, and the intimidation and persecution of opposition figures.

The party also criticised what it described as inflammatory electoral rhetoric from the ruling party.

According to the PDP, these developments could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and make the 2027 elections less competitive.

The party argued that confidence in election management was essential to the credibility of democracy.

The European Union has a long history of observing Nigeria’s elections.

It deployed election observation missions during the 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections.

During the 2023 elections, the EU mission identified several challenges, including attacks on INEC facilities and personnel, violence and intimidation at polling units, vote-buying and operational problems.

Its preliminary assessment also reported that violence and intimidation affected voters, polling staff and journalists in several states.

The EU’s final assessment of the 2023 election subsequently called for reforms to strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had previously said it expected the EU to return for the 2027 elections.

At a meeting with an EU Election Observation Follow-up Mission in October 2025, then-INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the Commission would invite the EU, Commonwealth, African Union and ECOWAS to observe the 2027 elections.

Yakubu said international observation missions and their recommendations could contribute to improving the quality of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The EU’s latest clarification therefore means that while the nature of its 2027 mission will differ from previous full observation missions, the bloc has not completely disengaged from Nigeria’s electoral process.

Despite the clarification, the PDP said opposition parties, civil society organisations and Nigerians must remain vigilant ahead of the elections.

The party said it would work with other stakeholders to demand greater transparency, accountability and credibility throughout the electoral process.

It argued that elections should reflect the freely expressed will of voters and warned against any attempt by political actors to manipulate the process.

The PDP said ensuring confidence in the electoral process would be essential to protecting Nigeria’s democratic institutions as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.