US to closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general election lections, says congressman

A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has said the US government will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, stressing that the conduct and credibility of the polls will attract significant attention from Washington.

Moore made the remarks during an interview with NoireTV, a cable and streaming platform focused on African diaspora audiences, aired on Monday.

Responding to a question on whether the United States would ensure Nigeria’s next elections are more than a mere formality, the lawmaker said the US administration would be watching how the electoral process unfolds.

“We’re certainly going to be watching these results and how these elections unfold and how they’re executed. That is something that myself and the administration are going to be paying very close attention to,” he said.

Moore also disclosed that the US Congress is considering legislation that could significantly affect diplomatic relations with Nigeria, particularly regarding religious freedom and security cooperation.

According to him, lawmakers are working on a bill sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith, of which he is a co-sponsor, while also advancing the State Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, also known as the National Security and State Department Related Programs Bill.

He explained that the proposed appropriations legislation contains provisions relating to Nigeria, including concerns over the persecution of Christians, restrictions on US security assistance, and conditions the Nigerian government must meet before receiving certain forms of support.

“There is a lot of language in that bill relating to Nigeria, the persecution of Christians, restrictions on security assistance to the Nigerian government, and steps they have to take,” Moore said.

He expressed optimism that the bill would be passed and become law, adding that it contains what he described as “strong and aggressive” provisions that would shape future US-Nigeria relations.

Moore further said he would continue discussions with US President Donald Trump on the issue, describing the matter as one of significant importance to the American administration.

The congressman is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced by Chris Smith in February.

The proposed appropriations bill seeks to make aspects of US financial assistance to Nigeria conditional on the Nigerian government taking concrete measures to address violent attacks and improve security in affected parts of the country.