The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, has dismissed reports that it rejected an invitation by the In-dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe Nigeria’s 2027 general election, describing the reports as inaccu-rate and speculative.
The EU, in a statement in Abuja, said it had received a formal invitation from INEC dated April 17, 2026, to deploy observers for the 2027 elections.
Contrary to reports that the EU had declined the invitation, citing worsening insecurity and alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the publication of its final report on the 2023 general election, the delegation said it had ac-cepted the invitation and would deploy an Electoral Expert Mission (EEM).
It said the response to INEC, dated July 28, 2026, thanked the electoral commission for the invitation and informed it that the EU would field an EEM comprising between two and four independent experts, who would be formally accredited as observ-ers by INEC.
The delegation stressed that the two reasons attributed to the EU in the reports did not appear in its letter to INEC.
“The two alleged reasons mentioned in the press reports do not appear in the letter: these are pure speculations,” the EU said.
According to the delegation, an Electoral Expert Mission, like an Electoral Observation Mission, assesses whether an electoral process is conducted in line with international, regional and national obligations and commitments on democratic elections to which the country has subscribed.
The mission would also submit a final report containing recommendations on improving Nigeria’s electoral framework and future electoral processes.
The EU said the report would be shared with the Nigerian government and could subsequently be made available to the wider public if the government agreed.
Explaining its decision to deploy an expert mission rather than a larger electoral observation mission, the delegation said the European Union made decisions annually on electoral missions to partner countries that invite it, with the type of mission de-termined by the circumstances of each country and the resources available.
“It is on this basis that the decision to conduct an EEM in Nigeria has been taken and will be further consulted with the rele-vant Nigerian authorities for its implementation,” it stated.
CP: I Don’t Want Tension, But Peace, We Can’t Hold Poll in Unsecure Environment
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Osun Election, Samuel EraleEtaifo, on Monday, in Osogbo, informed a group of women protesters that his mandate in the state was to stop heightened tension before, during and after the gubernatorial election.
The Protest, which was held at Largo Grammar School, Osogbo was led by Osun First lady, Mrs, Titilayo Adeleke, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo and Senior Adviser on Market, Mrs Eniola Omotosho.
The Commissioner, who threatened to stop the protest noted that, “If not because I have utmost respect for women, if not for that, I would have directed my men to stop you from protest.
“I have been here for the past two weeks, on the instruction of Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu in an efforts to douse tension in the state, saying for the first time in history, the IG directed CP election to come three weeks to the election.
“If you noticed that since I came we have relative peace in the state but the problem we have is that we cannot continue to tolerate what you have done today because it will not contribute to peace, it will cause tension again.
“Let us assume that as you come out now and the other party comes out, then both of you meet, what will happen, We are going to go back and restrategiseto attend to all your demands.
“Why I am discussing with you is because we don’t want tension before the election, we want peace, we cannot conduct election in an insecure environment.
“I have mandate from the IG to come to the state to stabilise things, give an enabling environment for every political actors to exercise their franchise, to create public confidence for everyone to come out to vote on election day.
“If you are a manipulator of any election, that is even the worst, the IG and Nigeria will not forgive you, I will arrest you and take you to Abuja because this election is a federal election we must get it right.
“I want to applaud you that this protest is peaceful but I want to implore you to go back so that nothing will happen to you. I will assign my men to escort you back to where your started the protest from.”
Earlier, Osun First lady, Mrs, Titilayo Adeleke, demanded free and fair election in the forthcoming poll, saying, “We want peace, let there be peace in the state.”
She also pleaded with the police Commissioner to invite Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Wole Oke and Kehinde Raji, for questioning to stop the killing in the state.
NSCDC Deploys 10,210 Personnel, Tactical Units
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has deployed 10,210 personnel and specialised tactical units to Osun State ahead of the governorship election, as security agencies intensify preparations to ensure a peaceful, free and credible poll.
The Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, ordered the deployment of 10,000 personnel drawn from 10 neighbouring State Commands, alongside specialised formations of the Corps, to reinforce security operations across the state.
The deployment, which commenced on Monday is aimed at protecting voters, electoral officials, election materials, observers, journalists and residents from threats, intimidation and other forms of electoral violence.
According to a statement by the Assistant Commandant of Corps and National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, about 1,000 personnel each from the Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and Federal Capital Territory Commands would reinforce the Osun State Command.
The personnel, comprising uniformed and undercover operatives, would operate alongside other security agencies under the established inter-agency security framework.
Audi also ordered the deployment of specialised formations, including the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.
The specialised teams, the Corps said, would strengthen intelligence gathering, crime prevention and detection, protection of critical assets, crowd control and other election-related security operations.
To ensure effective coordination and supervision, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, DCG Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandants General and other senior officers, would relocate to Osun State to oversee the Corps’ election security operations.
The NSCDC boss assured residents that the Corps would remain professional, impartial and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the electoral process.
Audi charged NSCDC personnel to work in synergy with other security agencies, stressing that the safety of electoral officials, election materials and voters remained critical to the success of the exercise.
“Our personnel have been properly briefed on the need to be professional, neutral and respectful in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade and Yinka Kolawole
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