By Deborah Nnamdi
A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has said the administration of President Donald Trump will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, stressing that Washington will be paying close attention to how the polls are conducted.
Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, made the remarks during an interview with NoireTV, which was published on the platform’s social media pages on Sunday.
Responding to a question on whether the United States could do more to support credible elections in Nigeria, the congressman said the conduct and outcome of the polls would be closely watched 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,” Moore said.
The lawmaker also disclosed that the US House of Representatives was considering an appropriations bill containing provisions relating to Nigeria, particularly on religious freedom and US security assistance.
According to him, the proposed legislation contains what he described as “pretty strong and aggressive language” that could shape future relations between the United States and Nigeria.
“We’re working on Chris Smith’s bill, which obviously I’m a co-sponsor of. But more importantly, people need to pay attention to the appropriations bill that we’re going to have on the floor today,” he said.
Moore explained that the bill includes provisions addressing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, restrictions on US security assistance to the Nigerian government, and conditions the country must meet to maintain such support.
“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 added.
The congressman further revealed that he would continue discussions with President Trump on Nigeria-related issues, disclosing that he was scheduled to have dinner with the US president and other lawmakers.
“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,” Moore said.
Moore is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced alongside 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.
The bill also proposes regular assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, reviews of US security assistance, sanctions, humanitarian support, and measures taken by the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute perpetrators of attacks.
In addition, the US House Appropriations Committee in April 2026 approved provisions in its annual State Department funding bill imposing stricter oversight and conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria.
Under the proposal, 50 per cent of funds allocated to Nigeria under US foreign assistance programmes would be withheld until the American government certifies that Nigeria is taking effective steps to address religious violence, investigate and prosecute attacks attributed to Fulani militia groups, and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
The funding bill is currently before the US Congress for legislative consideration.
