2027 polls: HURIWA links EU observer pullback to insecurity, urges Tinubu to act

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has described the reported decision by the European Union (EU) to scale back its election observation mission for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as a “bad omen” for the country’s democracy.

The rights group urged President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s security chiefs to intensify the fight against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes ahead of the elections.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Monday, HURIWA said the reported EU decision should serve as a wake-up call to the Federal Government and all institutions responsible for securing Nigeria’s democratic process.

The group noted that the EU had maintained extensive election observation missions in Nigeria since 2003, deploying long-term and short-term observers during previous election cycles.

It said the reported plan to limit the EU’s 2027 presence to a small team in Abuja, without deploying observers across the states, should concern Nigerians and political stakeholders.

According to HURIWA, insecurity could undermine the electoral process by restricting the movement of voters, political candidates, electoral officials, journalists and election observers.

“Terrorists must not determine Nigeria’s democratic future,” the group said, calling for sustained military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist logistics, financing, recruitment and operational networks.

HURIWA Commends Army

HURIWA also commended the Chief of Army Staff over what it described as recent encouraging operational reports in the fight against terrorism.

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The organisation said the reported gains demonstrated that security forces could achieve meaningful results when properly equipped, motivated and strategically coordinated.

It, however, urged the Army leadership to sustain the momentum while calling on the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and intelligence agencies to develop a stronger joint strategy against terrorist groups.

The group advocated improved intelligence sharing, coordinated air and ground operations and stronger mechanisms for tracking terrorist financing and logistics.

EU Concerns Over Observer Treatment

HURIWA also urged the Federal Government to examine reports that the EU’s decision was partly influenced by the alleged hostile treatment of its officials and observers following the 2023 elections.

It said international observers should not be regarded as adversaries because they criticise aspects of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The group urged authorities to guarantee the safety of accredited domestic and international observers during the 2027 elections.

HURIWA further called for the protection of INEC facilities and personnel, political candidates, journalists and voters, stressing that election security must begin well before election day.

The organisation said the reported EU pullback should be treated as a warning that Nigeria needs to restore confidence in both its security environment and democratic institutions.

“A peaceful Nigeria is the foundation of a credible election,” HURIWA said.