US House approves bill proposing 50% cut in aid to Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution

The United States House of Representatives has approved a key appropriations bill that proposes withholding 50% of certain U.S. assistance to Nigeria until the Nigerian government demonstrates measurable progress in protecting Christian communities from religiously motivated violence.

The provision is contained in the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Bill, which was passed by the House on Wednesday. The legislation allocates $47.32 billion in discretionary funding for diplomacy, national security and related programmes, representing a reduction of about $2.69 billion, or six per cent, from the FY2026 enacted level.

However, the proposal has not yet become U.S. law. It must still pass the remaining stages of the legislative process, including consideration by the Senate and presidential approval, before the aid restrictions can take effect.

Under the House-approved bill, 50% of eligible U.S. assistance to Nigeria would be withheld until the U.S. Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken measurable steps to protect Christians affected by religiously motivated attacks and improve security in vulnerable communities.

The accompanying House Appropriations Committee report expressed concern over persistent violence in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt, and referenced the Palm Sunday massacre as one of the incidents highlighting the need for stronger government action against perpetrators of violence.

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The committee also urged Nigerian authorities to ensure accountability for those responsible for attacks on civilians and improve measures to safeguard communities affected by insecurity.

The provision was championed by Congressman Riley M. Moore, who argued that the measure is intended to pressure the Nigerian government to strengthen protection for Christian communities and improve its response to religious violence.

According to Moore, the legislation sends a clear message that the United States expects greater accountability while continuing to support victims of religious persecution around the world.

Beyond the proposed aid restrictions, the bill directs that funding under the Security Sector Programme/National Security Account be used to support efforts aimed at tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, including attacks attributed in the committee report to Fulani militias.

The legislation also instructs the U.S. State Department to assess whether the Nigerian government is facilitating the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities. The findings will form part of the certification process required before the withheld assistance can be released.

In addition, the State Department would be required to submit reports to Congress within 45 to 60 days detailing efforts to address violence against Christian communities, improve accountability for violations of religious freedom, and evaluate progress made by Nigerian authorities.

To reinforce these objectives, lawmakers proposed an additional $2 million under the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement account to support atrocity prevention initiatives, with part of the funding earmarked for programmes addressing violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

The committee also encouraged stronger partnerships with Nigerian security agencies to improve professionalism, operational capacity and accountability in law enforcement as part of broader efforts to reduce insecurity.

Another provision directs the Secretary of State to assess the impact of Nigeria’s blasphemy laws in the annual International Religious Freedom Report, reflecting growing congressional interest in issues relating to religious liberty.

The broader appropriations package also includes provisions affecting global health funding, migration policy, foreign military financing and international broadcasting, in line with the United States’ evolving foreign policy priorities.

Supporters of the proposal argue that conditioning foreign assistance on measurable improvements in security and human rights will encourage stronger government action against violence.

However, analysts note that the proposal is likely to generate diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and the United States, with debates expected over its potential impact on humanitarian programmes, security cooperation and bilateral relations.

If eventually enacted, the measure could reshape aspects of U.S.-Nigeria relations, particularly in the areas of security assistance, religious freedom, human rights and counterterrorism cooperation.

US House approves bill proposing 50% cut in aid to Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution

Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

The Nigerian Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing significantly tougher penalties for traffic offences, including a N50,000 fine for individuals who preach, hawk or engage in trading inside commercial buses.

The landmark legislation, approved during plenary on Thursday, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen road safety in Nigeria, improve compliance with traffic regulations and reduce the rising number of road crashes across the country.

However, the bill has not yet become law. It will only take legal effect after receiving presidential assent from President Bola Tinubu.

One of the most notable provisions of the proposed amendment is the introduction of a N50,000 fine for anyone found preaching, hawking or carrying out commercial activities inside commercial vehicles.

Lawmakers explained that such activities often distract drivers, obstruct passengers and increase the likelihood of road accidents, particularly in densely populated urban areas where commercial buses serve thousands of commuters daily.

The bill also introduces stricter sanctions for motorists who refuse to cooperate with Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials during roadside enforcement exercises.

Under the proposed law, any driver who declines to undergo a breathalyser test when reasonably suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would face a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.

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The Senate further approved a substantial increase in penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances. If the bill receives presidential assent, offenders would be liable to a N100,000 fine, replacing the current N5,000 penalty, in addition to a possible two-year prison sentence or both.

The amendment also raises the punishment for violating traffic lights, road signs, pavement markings and other traffic control devices to N100,000, reflecting the government’s determination to improve discipline on Nigerian roads.

Motorists caught exceeding speed limits would equally face a N100,000 fine, replacing the existing N5,000 sanction.

Similarly, reckless driving would attract a N100,000 fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, depending on the severity of the offence.

According to the revised schedule attached to the legislation, the Senate reviewed 52 traffic offences, increasing penalties across most categories to reflect present-day economic realities and strengthen deterrence against dangerous road behaviour.

The amendment seeks to modernise the FRSC Act by expanding the enforcement powers of the corps, strengthening compliance with traffic regulations and improving public safety through stricter enforcement measures.

Road safety experts have repeatedly argued that many penalties under the existing law had become obsolete due to inflation and no longer served as effective deterrents against traffic violations.

Data from the Federal Road Safety Corps consistently identifies speeding, dangerous driving, drunk driving, driver distraction, overloading and disregard for traffic signs among the leading causes of road crashes in Nigeria, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries every year.

Supporters of the amendment believe the proposed stiffer penalties will encourage greater compliance with traffic laws and ultimately reduce road accidents. However, some stakeholders have called for sustained public awareness campaigns, improved road infrastructure and fair enforcement to ensure the new penalties achieve their intended objectives without imposing undue hardship on road users.

The bill will now be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent. If signed into law, it will introduce one of the most comprehensive overhauls of Nigeria’s traffic regulations in recent years, significantly increasing penalties for dozens of traffic-related offences while reinforcing the FRSC’s mandate to promote safer roads nationwide.

Senate passes Bill proposing N50,000 fine for preaching, hawking in commercial buses

Appeal Court Restores INEC Guidelines, Paves Way for 2027 General Elections

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside a Federal High Court judgment that nullified key timelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections, restoring the electoral body’s authority to enforce its Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities . In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday by a three-member panel, the appellate court upheld INEC’s appeal against the May 20 judgment of Justice Mohammed Umar, ruling that the trial court failed to follow binding judicial precedents . The Court held that INEC’s Revised Timetable constitutes subsidiary legislation made pursuant to the Electoral Act 2026, and therefore carries the same force and effect as the principal legislation itself . According to the appellate court, every deadline contained in the revised schedule falls within the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the electoral commission validly exercised its statutory powers in issuing the timetable . The judgment effectively removes the legal uncertainty that had trailed preparations for the 2027 general elections after conflicting judicial decisions created concerns over the validity of the commission’s electoral calendar .

The dispute originated from a suit filed by the Youth Party, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, challenging key provisions of INEC’s revised timetable . The party had argued that INEC lacked statutory authority to prescribe the period within which political parties must conduct their primaries for nominating candidates for the 2027 general elections . Delivering judgment on May 20, Justice Mohammed Umar agreed with the Youth Party and declared that INEC could not lawfully abridge the statutory timelines provided under the Electoral Act by prescribing earlier deadlines in its election timetable . The trial court relied on Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, which gives political parties up to 120 days before an election to submit the personal particulars of nominated candidates, and held that INEC lacked the power to shorten that period . The Federal High Court also ruled that Section 31 of the Electoral Act permits political parties to withdraw and substitute candidates not later than 90 days before an election, making it unlawful for INEC to impose an earlier deadline . Similarly, the trial court held that Section 32 of the Electoral Act does not empower INEC to publish the final list of candidates earlier than the statutory minimum period of 60 days before an election . The court consequently invalidated INEC’s timelines for the conduct of party primaries, nomination of candidates, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, and also set aside the commission’s May 10 deadline requiring political parties to submit their membership registers and databases as a condition for participation in the 2027 general elections .

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Dissatisfied with the judgment, INEC filed a nine-ground notice of appeal dated May 25, urging the appellate court to overturn the decision . The commission argued that the trial court failed to determine a jurisdictional objection it had raised before proceeding to the substantive issues, thereby denying it a fair hearing . INEC maintained that the suit filed by the Youth Party was hypothetical and academic and that the party lacked legal standing to institute and maintain the action . The commission further contended that although Section 29(1) requires political parties to submit candidate names not later than 120 days before an election, the Act equally empowers INEC to coordinate and regulate the electoral process by issuing a timetable that ensures the orderly conduct of elections . INEC also argued that enforcing the Federal High Court judgment would disrupt preparations for the 2027 general elections, submitting that “if the judgment is enforced or executed before the hearing and determination of the appeal, the entire electoral architecture and preparations for the 2027 general elections will be thrown into confusion” . According to the commission, the election timetable is an integrated programme in which every stage—from submission of membership registers and conduct of primaries to nomination of candidates, campaigns and publication of final lists—is interconnected .

The Court of Appeal agreed with INEC’s submissions, with the lead judgment prepared by Justice Adebukola Banjoko and read by Justice Okon Abang . The appellate court faulted the trial court for invalidating the administrative discretion of INEC, stating that “where INEC acts within its power, the courts cannot get involved” . The court also held that the Youth Party lacked legal standing to institute the case, as it did not explain how the guidelines affected its members in the conduct of primary elections for candidate nomination . “There was no deposition or threat that the respondent was prevented from conducting its primaries,” the court stated. “The respondent can only invoke the powers of the court where there are heavy threats to its participation in the election” . The ruling restores all timelines earlier fixed by INEC for party primaries, submission of candidates’ personal particulars, withdrawal and substitution of candidates, publication of the final list of candidates, and other pre-election activities . With the appellate court’s verdict, political parties are now expected to align with the restored timetable as they prepare for primaries, candidate nominations and other activities leading to the next general election . Unless further appealed to the Supreme Court, Thursday’s decision restores the legal foundation for INEC’s 2027 election timetable, allowing the commission to continue implementing its schedule for the forthcoming general elections without the restrictions imposed by the earlier High Court ruling .

Appeal Court Restores INEC Guidelines, Paves Way for 2027 General Elections