Republican Representative Riley Moore has called on the United States Congress to closely monitor Nigeria’s upcoming presidential election, warning that American lawmakers must remain vigilant over the electoral process.
Speaking during a November 12 congressional hearing on Nigeria, Moore said Congress needed to watch the Nigerian presidential election like a hawk, adding that he would personally be watching and that everyone should do the same.
Von Batten Montague York LC posted the statement on X Thursday said that the United States Congress must watch the upcoming Nigerian presidential election closely after lawmakers criticized President Bola Tinubu during a hearing on violence in the West African nation.
A Washington lobbying firm thanked Republican and Democratic members of Congress for calling out the corrupt and complicit administration of Nigerian President Tinubu during the hearing about Nigeria. The firm especially thanked Representative Riley Moore for his powerful words and warning.
Moore, a Republican from West Virginia, has long focused on attacks against Christians in Nigeria. During the session he stressed that Congress needs to watch the Nigerian presidential election like a hawk. He said he is going to be watching and that everyone needs to be watching.
The firm said it has consistently told Republican and Democratic members of Congress that free and fair elections are required to end the kidnappings and murders of innocent Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. Only elections that let the Nigerian people choose a government able to truly end the killings and kidnappings can stop the violence, the firm stated.
Members of Congress made clear today that President Tinubu has no intention of saving the lives of innocent Nigerians, according to the statement.
The firm accused Nigerian President Tinubu and his administration of actively working to circumvent the will of the Nigerian people and rig the upcoming presidential election. It said that action will only lead to more kidnappings and murders.
The firm pointed to a statement by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia. Garcia said Nigeria will hold presidential elections in January which could spur violence. The firm concluded that the time for the United States to act is now.
The hearing, titled One Year Later Assessing Nigerias Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt, took place Thursday at the Rayburn House Office Building. It was chaired by Representative Chris Smith, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa. Witnesses included Frank Garcia and Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy Human Rights and Labor Riley Barnes, along with outside experts.
The session reviewed ongoing attacks by groups such as Boko Haram and others in the Middle Belt region, Nigerian government responses, and possible further United States steps. It came one year after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom concerns. Moore has previously led fact finding efforts and presented reports to the White House on the issue.
