US will be ‘paying close attention’ to Nigeria’s 2027 elections, congressman says

U.S. House of Representatives member Riley Moore said President Donald Trump’s administration will be closely watching Nigeria’s 2027 elections, and described the conduct of the elections as a critical issue in Washington’s engagement with Africa’s most populous country.

Moore, a Republican lawmaker representing West Virginia, made this known during an interview with NoireTV, which was published on the platform’s social media channels on Sunday.

Responding to a question about whether the United States could play a larger role in supporting credible elections in Nigeria, the congressman said he and the Trump administration would monitor the electoral process closely.

“What I would say is that we will certainly be watching these results and how this election plays out and how this election is conducted. And that’s something that I and the administration will be paying very close attention to.”

Beyond the election, Moore revealed that the US Congress is considering legislation that could significantly impact future relations between Washington and Abuja, particularly in the areas of religious freedom and security cooperation.

He said lawmakers were advancing a legislative proposal sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith, while also working on a broader appropriations bill containing provisions affecting Nigeria.

“We’re working on Chris (Smith’s) bill, which obviously I’m one of the sponsors of that bill. But I think, more importantly, what people need to pay attention to is the appropriations bill that we’re going to propose today,” Moore said.

According to him, the size of the allocation includes broad provisions regarding Nigeria, particularly regarding religious freedom and future US security assistance.

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“There’s a lot of language that I included in the bill that has to do with Nigeria and the persecution of Christians and restrictions on security assistance to the Nigerian government, and the steps they have to take.

“The bill will most likely become law. Hopefully, we will pass it quickly today. So, there is quite strong and aggressive language in the bill that will be binding as it relates to our future relationship with Nigeria,” he added.

Moore also indicated that he would continue to discuss developments in Nigeria directly with President Trump and senior administration officials, and stressed that the issue remained a White House priority.

“I’m continuing to work with the administration on the next steps we’re going to take. I’m actually going to see President Trump tonight. I’m going to have dinner with him and some other members, so yes, I’m continuing to talk to him about this issue, and it’s very important to him,” he said.

The congressman is a co-sponsor of the Nigerian Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill introduced in February with Congressman Chris Smith.

If passed, the law would require the US Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress detailing efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.

The proposed measure also seeks regular assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, reviews of U.S. security assistance, sanctions and humanitarian interventions, and evaluation of steps taken by Nigerian authorities to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute those responsible for violent attacks.

Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved a provision in the US State Department’s annual funding bill that imposes stricter conditions on America’s portion of aid to Nigeria.

Under the proposal, half of the funds allocated to Nigeria under certain foreign assistance programs would be withheld until the US government certifies that Nigerian authorities are taking what the bill describes as “effective steps” to address religious violence.

The bill also requires US assistance to support investigations and prosecutions related to attacks allegedly carried out by Fulani militia groups and calls on the Nigerian government to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons affected by the violence.

The proposed measures remain part of the legislative process in the United States and require approval before becoming law.