The European Union has warned that Nigeria is at risk of repeating the serious shortcomings of the 2023 general elections in the 2027 polls if urgent electoral reforms are not delivered without delay.
Member of the European Parliament and former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, Mr Barry Andrews, issued the warning at a press conference in Abuja on Friday. He declared that Nigeria’s progress on reform has been “modest at best, dangerously close to stagnation.”
According to Andrews, “The country’s democratic resilience depends on reforms that citizens can believe in, and while we welcome the legislative momentum seen in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the ongoing constitutional review process, time is rapidly running out. Unless these reforms are concluded within the next few months, there is a risk of repeating the serious shortcomings of 2023. We encourage all political actors to seize the momentum to deliver reforms that can safeguard transparency, inclusiveness and credibility in the 2027 elections.”
The EU Follow-Up Mission reported that out of 23 priority reforms recommended after the troubled 2023 elections, only one has been fully implemented. Two are partially adopted, eight are ongoing, nine are untouched and three remain too early to assess. Andrews warned that this lethargy could plunge Nigeria into another cycle of electoral disputes. He said, “Time is running out. The window is closing. Without real political will, Nigerians will face the same disputes, mistrust and chaos that plagued the last elections.”
The Union outlined six critical reforms that must be completed ahead of 2027. These include transparent appointments into the Independent National Electoral Commission, transparency in collation and transmission of results, improved women’s representation, establishment of an Independent Electoral Offences Commission to address vote-buying and violence, the passage of the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment with constitutional reforms to give INEC a stable legal framework, and stronger protection for media freedom. Andrews stressed, “INEC cannot operate on shifting ground. It needs a clear, stable legal framework well in advance of elections. Timing is everything.”
He further warned that electoral impunity remained entrenched, stating, “Vote buying, violence and intimidation remain unchecked. Prosecutions are so few that they do nothing to deter criminal activity.” He added that protection of journalists was a non-negotiable part of democratic reform.
In his words, “A free press is non-negotiable in any democracy. Journalists must be shielded, not silenced.”
EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the Union’s support but placed responsibility on Nigerian leaders.
He said, “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.”
The EU Follow-Up Mission is expected to remain in Nigeria for one week before submitting its report and fresh recommendations on the state of electoral reforms.