EU Tells INEC: Fix Electoral Reforms Before 2027

EU Tells INEC: Fix Electoral Reforms Before 2027

 

 

 

The European Union Election Observation Mission, EU EOM, yesterday stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja, warning that Nigeria must push through key reforms before the 2027 general elections.

 

Led by Chief Observer, Mr. Barry Andrews, the EU delegation said while INEC had made “significant progress” since the disputed 2023 polls, many of the deeper challenges—especially judicial and constitutional issues—were still hanging.

 

“We have seen improvements, but there are still serious gaps that need fixing,” Andrews, a member of the European Parliament, told INEC chiefs during the visit.

 

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, welcomed the team, disclosing that out of the 23 recommendations made by the EU last year, eight were directed at the Commission, with only one tagged priority.

 

According to him, INEC had already implemented the administrative changes within its powers, but warned that broader reforms depend on the National Assembly.

 

“Uncertainty over the legal framework unsettles election planning. We need timely action from the legislature,” Yakubu declared.

 

Yakubu also revealed that INEC’s own post-2023 review threw up 142 reform recommendations, most of which tally with those of international observers.

 

The INEC boss assured that ahead of 2027, invitations would soon go out to observer groups, including the EU, AU, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth.

 

Both parties agreed to keep working together to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.