The United States has said it will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general election, with US Congressman Riley Moore stating that President Donald Trump’s administration and members of Congress will pay close attention to the conduct and outcome of the polls.
Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia’s Second Congressional District, said credible elections remain a key issue in Washington’s engagement with Nigeria, adding that the electoral process would be closely scrutinised.
Speaking during an interview with NoireTV, a cable and streaming network focused on programming for the African diaspora, the congressman said the United States would be watching how the elections are conducted.
“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.
Beyond the elections, Moore disclosed that the US House of Representatives is currently considering an appropriations bill containing provisions relating to Nigeria, particularly on religious freedom and American security assistance.
He explained that the proposed legislation includes measures addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and conditions that could influence future US security support 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.
The lawmaker also revealed that he would continue discussions with President Trump on developments concerning Nigeria, saying he was scheduled to meet the president during a dinner with other members of Congress.
“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 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 and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
It also requires regular assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, the impact of US security assistance and humanitarian aid, sanctions imposed where necessary, and measures taken by the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute perpetrators of violent attacks.
In April, the US House Appropriations Committee approved provisions in its annual State Department funding bill that would impose stricter oversight on financial assistance to Nigeria.
Under the proposal, 50 per cent of certain categories of US foreign assistance allocated to Nigeria would be withheld until the US government certifies that Nigerian authorities are taking effective steps to curb religious violence, investigate attacks attributed to armed Fulani groups, and facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons.
However, the measure is yet to become law, as it must still be considered and approved by the full US Congress before it can take effect.