European Union has called on Nigeria to carry out urgent constitutional and judicial reforms before the 2027 general elections, saying changes are needed to strengthen democracy and restore public trust.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a new mission report released Friday, the EU stressed that the reforms should focus on making Nigeria’s electoral process more transparent and fair. The bloc urged lawmakers, the judiciary and civil society groups to work together to close legal gaps that weaken accountability.

The mission, which observed Nigeria’s 2023 elections, said the vote exposed flaws in the country’s legal and political systems. It highlighted inconsistent court rulings, slow resolution of election petitions, and unclear laws that fuel disputes after polls.

“Reform is essential if Nigeria wants to protect the will of voters in 2027,” the report said. “Without changes, the credibility of future elections may face serious challenges.”

The EU called for clearer constitutional rules on the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially regarding technology used in voting and results transmission. It also recommended reforms to ensure quicker, more consistent decisions by election tribunals.

Nigeria has faced criticism after its last election, which brought President Bola Tinubu to power. While the vote was largely peaceful, opposition parties accused the electoral commission of poor transparency in publishing results. Legal battles dragged on for months, leaving many citizens frustrated and doubtful about the fairness of the system.

Analysts say the EU’s recommendations reflect growing concerns about Nigeria’s democratic stability. With over 200 million people, the country is Africa’s largest democracy, and its elections are closely watched across the continent.

Political scientist Aisha Bello of the University of Lagos said reforms are urgent. “If nothing changes, 2027 could be a repeat of the same tensions we saw in 2023,” she said. “People are losing faith in the system, and that is dangerous for democracy.”

The EU mission also emphasized the importance of judicial independence. It noted that Nigeria’s courts must be free from political pressure to make rulings that reflect the law and not partisan interests. The report urged reforms to prevent conflicting judgments that often create more confusion instead of clarity.

Civil society groups welcomed the EU’s recommendations. The Centre for Democracy and Development, a Nigerian think tank, said reform is overdue. “Our democracy is still too dependent on weak laws and slow courts,” said director Idayat Hassan. “If leaders take these recommendations seriously, we can avoid repeating the same mistakes.”

However, some Nigerian officials pushed back, saying reforms should come from within, not from outside pressure. A senior government aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the EU’s role should be advisory. “Nigeria must decide its own reforms. External partners can only support,” the aide said.

The EU responded that it respects Nigeria’s sovereignty but insists that its findings are based on direct observation and years of engagement with the electoral process.

Observers note that time is short. Constitutional and judicial reforms often require long debates and political compromises. With the next general election just over two years away, lawmakers would need to act quickly to pass new laws and strengthen institutions.

The EU mission concluded its report by urging all stakeholders — politicians, judges, civil society and citizens — to push for reform as a matter of urgency.

“The credibility of Nigeria’s democracy in 2027 depends on what happens now,” the mission said. “The future of the country’s elections is in the hands of Nigerians themselves.”