The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has urged Nigeria to fast-track constitutional and judicial reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
Barry Andrews, EU Parliament member and head of the 2023 observer mission, led a delegation to INEC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. He noted progress since 2023 but said critical reforms remain slow.
INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, also warned that delayed electoral laws could derail early preparations for 2027. He said of the EU’s 23 recommendations, only eight were within INEC’s control, while 15 required action by the legislature, judiciary, and political parties.
Yakubu revealed that INEC itself had drawn up 142 internal recommendations after reviewing the 2023 polls. “An early passage of law is critical. Uncertainty unsettles planning,” he said.
He assured that EU, AU, Commonwealth, and ECOWAS would be formally invited to observe 2027. The EU praised INEC’s commitment but pressed for deeper reforms to strengthen public trust and safeguard democracy.
