Reiterates concerns over religious freedom, protection of vulnerable communities
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The United States has said it will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general election, with a member of the US Congress, Riley Moore, stating that the administration of President Donald Trump will pay close attention to how the polls are conducted.
Moore, a Republican lawmaker representing West Virginia Second District, said the conduct and outcome of the elections would be under scrutiny by both the US administration and members of Congress, stressing that credible elections remain an important issue in Washington’s engagement with Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with NoireTV, a cable and streaming network dedicated to programming tailored to the African diaspora, Moore said the United States would closely observe how the electoral process unfolds.
“We’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. That’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” he said.
The congressman also disclosed that the US House of Representatives is considering an appropriations bill containing provisions relating to Nigeria, particularly on religious freedom and US security assistance.
According to him, the legislation contains what he described as strong provisions addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and conditions that could affect future American security assistance to the country.
“We’re working on Chris Smith’s bill, which I’m a co-sponsor of. But more importantly, people need to pay attention to the appropriations bill before the House today. There’s a lot of language that I put in that bill relating to Nigeria, the persecution of Christians, restrictions on security assistance to the government of Nigeria, and steps that they have to take.
“That bill is likely to become law. If passed, it will contain binding provisions that will shape our relationship with Nigeria going forward,” Moore stated.
He added that he would continue discussions with the Trump administration on developments relating to Nigeria, revealing that he was scheduled to meet the president to further discuss the issues.
“I continue to work with the administration on the next steps that we’re going to take. I’m actually going to see President Trump tonight. I’ll be having dinner with him and some other members, so I continue to talk to him about these issues, and it’s very important to him,” he said.
Moore is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced alongside fellow Congressman Chris Smith in February.
The proposed legislation would require the US Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress on efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. It also seeks regular assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, the impact of US security assistance, humanitarian support, sanctions, and measures taken by the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute perpetrators of attacks.
In April, the US House Appropriations Committee approved provisions in its annual State Department funding bill imposing tighter oversight on financial assistance to Nigeria.
The bill proposes withholding 50 per cent of certain foreign assistance allocated to Nigeria until the US certifies that the Nigerian government is taking effective steps to curb religious violence, investigate attacks attributed to Fulani militia groups and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
However, the measure is still subject to consideration by the full US Congress before it can become law.