Trump Administration To Watch Nigeria’s 2027 Elections, Says U.S. Lawmaker

A United States Congressman has said the administration of United States President Donald Trump will closely monitor the conduct of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, said the conduct of the elections is an issue Washington will be paying “very close attention to.”

He made the remarks in an interview with NoireTV posted 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, Moore said:

“What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching 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 is a co-sponsor of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced alongside Congressman Chris Smith in February.

The proposed legislation seeks to require the U.S. Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress on efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.

It also requires assessments of Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations, U.S. security assistance, sanctions, humanitarian support, and measures taken by the Nigerian government to protect vulnerable communities.

In April 2026, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee also approved provisions in its annual State Department funding bill imposing stricter oversight and conditions on financial assistance to Nigeria.

Under the provisions, 50 per cent of funds earmarked for Nigeria under foreign assistance programmes would be subject to specified conditions.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the presidential election for 16 January 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections scheduled for 6 February 2027.