The European Union has warned that Nigeria could face a repeat of the controversies, irregularities, and credibility concerns that marred the 2023 general elections if urgent and comprehensive electoral reforms are not concluded well ahead of the 2027 polls.
The body made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
Barry Andrews, Member of the European Parliament and former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Nigeria, cautioned that the country’s progress on electoral reforms remains “modest at best, dangerously close to stagnation,” despite repeated commitments from stakeholders.
“The country’s democratic resilience depends on reforms that citizens can believe in,” Andrews said. “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.”
Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, in which Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner with 8.79 million votes, followed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 6.98 million votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party with 6.10 million votes, was widely criticised by local and international observers.
The EU EOM report cited several shortcomings, including the failure of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to upload results in real time, logistical failures, last-minute changes to polling arrangements, widespread vote buying, intimidation of voters, and the weak prosecution of electoral offences.
According to the EU Follow-Up Mission, of the 23 priority recommendations made after the election, only one has been fully implemented, while two have been partially addressed. Eight are still under consideration, nine remain untouched, and three are too early to assess — a pace the mission described as dangerously slow and insufficient to guarantee credible elections in 2027.
“Time is running out. The window is closing,” Andrews warned. “Without real political will, Nigerians will face the same disputes, mistrust, and chaos that plagued the last elections.”
The mission outlined six key reforms that must be finalised well ahead of the next election cycle: transparent and merit-based appointments to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), guaranteed transparency of election results, enhanced representation of women, the establishment of an Independent Electoral Offences Commission to end impunity for vote-buying and violence, passage of the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment and constitutional reforms to give INEC a stable legal framework, and stronger protections for media freedom and journalists.
“INEC cannot operate on shifting ground,” Andrews stressed. “It needs a clear, stable legal framework well in advance of elections. Timing is everything.”
On electoral offences, the mission criticised the continued lack of accountability.
“Vote buying, violence, and intimidation remain unchecked. Prosecutions are so few that they do nothing to deter criminal activity,” it said.
The EU also demanded stronger protections for press freedom, calling it “non-negotiable” for a functioning democracy. “Journalists must be shielded, not silenced,” the mission stated.
In his closing remarks, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic institutions but stressed that implementation ultimately lies with Nigerian authorities.
“We are fully backing Nigeria through our democratic governance support programme,” he said. “But these are recommendations that Nigeria must own. The credibility of your democracy depends on it.”