The European Union (EU) has issued a strong warning to Nigeria, cautioning that the nation’s democracy could slide into crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections unless urgent and comprehensive electoral reforms are implemented without delay.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Barry Andrews, Chief of Mission, said Nigeria’s progress on electoral reforms has been “modest at best and dangerously close to stagnation.”
He noted that the window for meaningful change was closing fast and that political will was essential to prevent the country from repeating the mistakes of 2023.
“Our evaluation indicates that progress in implementing the recommendations has been modest thus far, and it is in danger of falling to critically low levels.
“Avoiding this outcome will require political will from legislators and urgent, coordinated actions by relevant institutions”, Andrews stated.
According to the EU Follow-Up Mission, of the 23 priority reforms proposed after Nigeria’s controversial 2023 general elections, only one has been fully implemented.
“Two others are partially adopted, eight remain ongoing, nine untouched, and three too early to assess”, it added.
Andrews warned that this slow pace of reform could derail preparations for 2027, leading to renewed disputes, mistrust, and chaos.
The EU highlighted six areas that demand immediate action, including open and merit-based appointments within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), simultaneous electronic and manual publication of election results, the adoption of the Reserved Seats Bill to boost women’s representation in politics, and the establishment of an Independent Electoral Offences Commission to tackle vote-buying, violence, and intimidation.
It also stressed the need for legal clarity through the passage of the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment and constitutional reforms, as well as stronger protections for media freedom and journalists’ safety.
“INEC cannot operate on shifting ground. It needs a clear, stable legal framework well in advance of elections. Timing is everything”, emphasised.
The Follow-Up Mission expressed concern about contradictions between manual and electronic collation of results, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling that both must be applied.
The fear that this dual system core opens loopholes for manipulation, threatening transparency.
The mission noted that vote-buying, violence, and intimidation continue to thrive with little or no accountability, warning that the few prosecutions recorded so far are insufficient to deter criminal behaviour.
It also called for greater protection of media practitioners, insisting that “a free press is non-negotiable in any democracy. Journalists must be shielded, not silenced.”
Responding to questions about foreign interference, Andrews dismissed claims that the EU was imposing its views on Nigeria.
“This is about democracy for Nigerians, not outsiders. Civil society has made these same demands. Nigeria itself has observed elections in Ireland. This is reciprocity, not intrusion”, he said.
In his closing remarks, Gautier Mignot,
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS reaffirmed the bloc’s support for Nigeria’s democratic journey but stressed that reform implementation lies squarely in the hands of Nigerian leaders.
“We are fully backing Nigeria through our democratic governance support programme. But these are recommendations that Nigeria must own. The credibility of your democracy depends on it”, Mignot said.
He further clarified that diplomatic visits to off-cycle elections should not be mistaken for full EU election observation missions, which involve larger delegations and more comprehensive assessments.
The EU Follow-Up Mission is expected to remain in Nigeria for a week before submitting its progress report and updated recommendations.
However, its message was unmistakable: without decisive reforms, the 2027 general elections could be marred by the same disputes, mistrust, and legal battles that undermined the credibility of the 2023 polls.
“Nigeria is too important to the region. If reforms stall, public trust will collapse, and democracy will pay the price”, Andrews noted.
