The United States has declared that it will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with a member of Congress saying Washington is paying keen attention to how the polls will be conducted.
U.S. Congressman, Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, said both he and the administration of President Donald Trump would be watching the electoral process closely to ensure the elections are conducted properly.
Moore made the remarks during an interview with NoireTV, which was posted on the platform’s social media pages on Sunday, while responding to questions about Nigeria’s next general election.
Asked whether the United States could do more to support credible elections in Nigeria, the lawmaker said, “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.”
Moore also disclosed that the U.S. House of Representatives is considering an appropriations bill containing provisions relating to Nigeria, particularly on religious freedom and American security assistance to the country.
“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,” he said.
According to him, the proposed legislation contains what he described as “pretty strong and aggressive language” regarding the future relationship between the United States and Nigeria.
“There’s a lot of language that I put on that bill that’s inside of it 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,” Moore added.
The Congressman also revealed that he would continue engaging President Donald Trump on developments concerning Nigeria, disclosing that he was scheduled to meet the U.S. President later that day.
“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 said.
Moore is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill introduced alongside Congressman Chris Smith in February.
The proposed legislation seeks to compel the U.S. Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress on efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
The Smith-Moore bill also calls for assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, the use of U.S. security assistance, sanctions, humanitarian support, and measures taken by the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute those responsible for attacks.
In April 2026, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved provisions in its annual State Department funding bill imposing stricter oversight and conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria.
The bill, which has been forwarded to Congress for consideration, proposes withholding 50 per cent of funds allocated to Nigeria under foreign assistance programmes until it is certified that the Nigerian government is taking effective steps to curb religious violence.
It also requires that U.S. funds support investigations and prosecutions of violence allegedly committed by Fulani militia groups, while urging the Nigerian government to facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
