Franklin Adole
The United States says it will closely monitor the conduct of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with senior American lawmaker, Riley Moore, indicating that the administration of President Donald Trump considers the polls an important aspect of future relations between both countries.
Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, said Washington would be paying “very close attention” to how the elections are conducted and whether they meet acceptable democratic standards.
He made the remarks in an interview with NoireTV, which was published on the platform’s social media channels on Sunday.
Responding to a question on whether the United States could do more to support credible elections in Nigeria, the congressman said the outcome and management of the polls would be closely scrutinised by both himself and the Trump administration.
“What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. And that’s something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” he said.
Beyond the elections, Moore disclosed that the US House of Representatives is considering an appropriations bill containing significant provisions affecting Nigeria, particularly on religious freedom and future American security assistance.
According to him, the legislation contains what he described as “pretty strong and aggressive language” that could shape the future of US-Nigeria relations.
“We’re working on Chris (Smith)’s bill, which obviously I’m a co-sponsor of that bill. But I’d say, more importantly, what people need to pay attention to is the appropriations bill that we’re going to have on the floor today,” Moore said.
He explained that the proposed legislation includes provisions relating to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and places restrictions on US security assistance unless specified conditions are met.
“There’s a lot of language that I put on that bill that relates to Nigeria and the persecution of Christians and restrictions on security assistance to the government of Nigeria, and steps that they have to take.
“That bill’s likely to become law. We’re about to, hopefully, pass that here today. And so there’s some pretty strong and aggressive language in that bill that’s going to be binding as it relates to our relationship to Nigeria moving forward,” he stated.
Moore also revealed that he would continue discussing developments in Nigeria directly with President Trump and other senior officials.
“I continue to work with the administration on 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 yeah, I continue to talk to him about these issues, and it’s very important to him,” he added.
The congressman is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced in February alongside Congressman Chris Smith.
The proposed legislation seeks to compel the US Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress detailing efforts to address religious persecution, mass atrocities and human rights concerns in Nigeria.
It also calls for regular assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, the effectiveness of US security assistance, humanitarian interventions, sanctions where necessary, and measures taken by Nigerian authorities to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute those responsible for violent attacks.
In April 2026, the US House Appropriations Committee approved provisions in its annual State Department funding bill imposing stricter oversight and conditions on American financial assistance to Nigeria.
The bill provides that 50 per cent of US foreign assistance earmarked for Nigeria would be withheld until the US government certifies that Nigerian authorities are taking effective steps to curb religious violence.
It also requires that American assistance support investigations and prosecutions of attacks attributed to Fulani militia groups and that the Nigerian government facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons.