‘We’ll Be Watching Closely; Violence, Voter Intimidation, Electoral Malpractice Won’t Be Tolerated’ – US Warns Nigeria Ahead of 2027 Polls

• US Congressman Riley Moore says the United States will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that violence, voter intimidation and electoral malpractice will not be tolerated while reaffirming support for measures aimed at promoting credible polls.

The United States has pledged to closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with a member of the US Congress saying the outcome and conduct of the polls will receive significant attention from both lawmakers and the administration.

Speaking during an interview, the lawmaker responded to concerns about Nigeria’s electoral process and widespread allegations of corruption, stressing that the United States is committed to supporting credible democratic processes.

Asked whether Washington could do more to ensure Nigerians experience free and fair elections rather than what the interviewer described as “just a formality,” the congressman said the US government would be carefully observing developments before, during and after the polls.

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

The lawmaker also disclosed that he is working alongside Congressman Chris Smith on legislation concerning Nigeria, while pointing to another bill before the US Congress that could have even greater implications for relations between both countries.

According to him, the proposed appropriations legislation—also known as the State Foreign Operations Bill or the National Security and State Department Related Programs Bill—contains provisions addressing Nigeria, particularly issues surrounding the persecution of Christians and conditions attached to future US security assistance.

He explained that the bill includes strong language that would influence America’s relationship with Nigeria going forward.

“There’s a lot of language that I put in that bill relating to Nigeria, the persecution of Christians, restrictions on security assistance to the government of Nigeria and steps they have to take,” he said.

The congressman expressed confidence that the legislation would eventually become law, describing its provisions as binding and significant for future diplomatic engagement between Washington and Abuja.

“That bill is likely to become law. We’re about to hopefully pass that here today, and there’s some pretty strong and aggressive language in that bill that’s going to be binding as it relates to our relationship with Nigeria moving forward.”

He further revealed that discussions with the administration on Nigeria remain ongoing and confirmed he was scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump during a dinner with other members of Congress.

According to the lawmaker, Nigeria remains an important issue in his conversations with the President.

“I continue to work with the administration on the next steps we’re going to take. I’m actually going to see President Trump tonight… I continue to talk to him about these issues, and it’s very important to him.”

The remarks come as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with increasing international interest in the country’s democratic process and governance.