From Dispatch Room
United States Congressman Riley Moore has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of spending millions of dollars lobbying Congress while failing to adequately address attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
Moore, a Republican lawmaker from West Virginia, made the allegation on X after the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.
“The Tinubu Administration is spending millions lobbying Congress while failing to adequately address the genocide Nigerian Christians face daily,” Moore wrote.
He said the bill includes restrictions on U.S. security assistance to Nigeria unless Abuja takes measurable steps to protect affected Christian communities, hold perpetrators accountable, support displaced persons and help victims return safely to their ancestral homes.
“In my view, the Tinubu Administration has failed to live up to the conditions the appropriations committee placed on security assistance,” Moore added.
The wider bill, approved by the committee on April 28, 2026, provides $47.32 billion in discretionary funding and reflects the Trump administration’s America First foreign policy priorities, including stronger scrutiny of foreign assistance.
The Nigeria-related provision places emphasis on religious freedom, atrocity prevention, humanitarian support, accountability for violent groups and oversight of U.S. funds directed to Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims that Christians are being systematically targeted, insisting that terrorism, banditry and communal violence affect Nigerians of different faiths.
Still, Moore’s remarks reflect growing concern among some U.S. lawmakers over Nigeria’s handling of religious violence, mass displacement and attacks on vulnerable communities.
The bill must still pass through further legislative stages before becoming law, but the debate shows that future U.S. security assistance to Nigeria could face tougher benchmarks, stronger oversight and demands for measurable protection of affected communities.
— Newspot Nigeria
