The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over reports of election-related violence, hate speech and political intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections, while pledging fresh funding to support the protection of civic and political spaces in Nigeria ahead of the polls.

EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum on the State of Human Rights.

Mignot said the EU was preparing a new project with additional funding in partnership with the commission to strengthen human rights protection and support democratic governance.

He described the forum’s theme, “Protecting Human Rights in Civic and Political Spaces in the 2027 Elections, as timely, particularly against the backdrop of reports of election-related violence, hate speech, political intimidation and violations of fundamental rights.

He said the EU’s support was not intended to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process but to strengthen the capacity of legitimate Nigerian stakeholders to contribute to free, fair and credible elections.

The ambassador warned that restrictions on civic and political spaces could undermine citizens’ participation in elections and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

He said free media, peaceful assembly, open public forums and active civil society organisations were essential to ensuring that citizens could scrutinise candidates, debate public issues and hold political leaders accountable without fear of censorship or retaliation.

Mignot urged government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations and the media to play their respective roles in protecting these freedoms.

He also pledged that the EU and its member states would study the outcome document and roadmap to be produced by the forum and share them with their respective authorities.

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