US to closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 elections, tie future support to religious freedom

The United States has signalled that it will closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that future US security assistance, financial support and bilateral engagement could increasingly depend on the credibility of the polls and the Nigerian government’s commitment to religious freedom and human rights.

The warning came from US Congressman Riley Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, during an interview with NoireTV, where he disclosed that both the Trump administration and members of the US Congress would pay “very close attention” to how Nigeria conducts its next general elections.

According to Moore, the outcome and credibility of the 2027 elections in Nigeria have become an important issue for policymakers in Washington, who are assessing the country’s democratic progress alongside concerns over insecurity and religious violence.

“What I’d say is that we’re certainly going to be watching these results and 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 said.

Beyond election monitoring, Moore revealed that the US House of Representatives is advancing legislation that could reshape future relations between Washington and Abuja.

He said lawmakers are working on the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced alongside veteran Congressman Chris Smith, as well as provisions contained in a broader appropriations bill currently before Congress.

Moore explained that the proposed legislation contains strong provisions addressing concerns over religious persecution, particularly attacks affecting Christian communities, while also reviewing broader issues relating to human rights, accountability and security cooperation.

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According to him, the legislation could impose stricter conditions on future US security assistance to Nigeria, requiring measurable actions from the Nigerian government before certain forms of support are approved.

“We’re working on Chris Smith’s bill, which obviously I’m a co-sponsor of. But more importantly is the appropriations bill that we’re going to have on the floor.”

He added:

“There is strong language in that bill relating to Nigeria, the persecution of Christians and restrictions on security assistance to the government of Nigeria, including steps they have to take.”

The congressman expressed confidence that the legislation would secure congressional approval.

“That bill is likely to become law. We’re about to hopefully pass that. 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.”

Moore also disclosed that he remains in regular discussions with the administration of President Donald Trump regarding developments in Nigeria.

According to him, he planned to further brief the US President during a scheduled dinner meeting.

“I continue to work with the administration on next steps that we’re going to take. I’m actually going to see President Trump tonight. I’ll be having dinner with him and some other members, so I continue to talk to him about these issues, and it’s very important to him.”

The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced in February 2026 by Moore and Chris Smith, seeks to strengthen congressional oversight of US-Nigeria relations by requiring the US Secretary of State to submit periodic reports on religious freedom, sectarian violence, accountability for attacks and Nigeria’s compliance with international human rights obligations.

The proposed legislation also calls for regular assessments of how US foreign assistance is used, whether perpetrators of religious violence are being prosecuted, and the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions for displaced communities.

In addition, the bill encourages stronger diplomatic engagement aimed at improving the protection of vulnerable communities and promoting accountability for violent attacks across Nigeria.

Moore’s comments come as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, which will determine the country’s next President, governors, members of the National Assembly and state legislators.

The elections are expected to attract significant domestic and international attention following the controversies, legal challenges and debates surrounding the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

Election observers believe that transparency, voter confidence, security, technological improvements by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and peaceful participation by citizens will remain key issues as preparations for the 2027 polls gather pace.

Although the Nigerian government has yet to officially respond to Moore’s latest remarks, analysts say the statements reflect growing international interest in Nigeria’s democratic process and its broader implications for diplomatic, security and economic relations with the United States.

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US to closely monitor Nigeria’s 2027 elections, tie future support to religious freedom

US warned Iran over alleged Israeli plot to kill negotiators – NYT

The United States reportedly warned Iran of an alleged Israeli plan to assassinate two of its top officials during Pakistan-mediated negotiations, The New York Times reported on Friday.

According to the newspaper, which cited current and former U.S. officials, the alleged plot targeted Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, and the Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The report said officials in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump feared the alleged operation could derail diplomatic efforts and trigger a fresh military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

It added that the U.S. quietly conveyed its concerns to Iranian authorities through regional intermediaries in an effort to prevent further escalation.

The newspaper also reported that Ghalibaf’s aircraft was forced to make an emergency diversion after Iranian intelligence allegedly received information suggesting Israeli fighter jets were preparing to target the plane.

However, the report noted that no public evidence has been released to substantiate the alleged assassination plot.

Israeli authorities have denied the allegations, describing the report as false and rejecting claims that they planned to target the Iranian officials.

The development comes amid lingering tensions between Israel and Iran despite renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing hostilities in the region.

Neither the White House nor the Iranian government had issued an official statement on the report as of the time of filing this report.

US warned Iran over alleged Israeli plot to kill negotiators – NYT

Trump Weighs Entry Restrictions for Pregnant Foreign Visitors After Supreme Court Ruling

The Trump administration is considering tighter restrictions on pregnant foreign women seeking to enter the United States, following a landmark US Supreme Court ruling that blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born on American soil.

Although no formal policy has been announced, senior White House officials say the administration is exploring measures to curb birth tourism—the practice of travelling to the United States primarily to give birth so that a child automatically acquires US citizenship.

The renewed push comes after the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 ruling, declared unconstitutional President Trump’s executive order that sought to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the United States to parents who are either in the country illegally or on temporary visas. The court held that the order violated the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, which has guaranteed birthright citizenship for more than 150 years.

The ruling represents a significant legal setback for one of the Trump administration’s most ambitious immigration initiatives, reinforcing long-standing constitutional protections for nearly everyone born on US soil.

Despite the decision, White House officials have signalled that the administration is not backing away from efforts to tighten immigration policies surrounding birthright citizenship.

Speaking after the judgment, Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security, said the administration would take “a hard look” at restricting entry for pregnant foreign nationals if officials believe their primary reason for travelling is to give birth in the United States.

According to Miller, immigration authorities must carefully assess temporary visitors because of concerns surrounding birth tourism.

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“You have to now think very carefully about who you let into your country, even on a temporary basis because of the possibility for birth tourism.”

He argued that some foreign nationals deliberately travel to the United States in the final weeks of pregnancy so their children can obtain American citizenship, which he claimed could provide long-term access to government benefits and immigration opportunities.

The administration has consistently argued that birthright citizenship creates incentives for illegal immigration and rewards individuals who violate US immigration laws while disadvantaging those who follow legal immigration procedures.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said President Trump remains committed to protecting what she described as the value of natural-born American citizenship.

She disclosed that the President has directed Congress to consider legislative measures addressing birthright citizenship while instructing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to prioritise investigations into alleged birth tourism operations.

“The Department of Justice will also prioritise investigations of birth tourism schemes. The Trump administration has many tools to safeguard American citizenship,” Jackson said.

Meanwhile, Senator Markwayne Mullin, a key Trump ally, also suggested that tougher restrictions on pregnant visitors are being considered.

Speaking on Fox News, Mullin alleged that some women enter the United States on tourist visas during the final weeks of pregnancy specifically to give birth before returning to their home countries.

He argued that some children born through birth tourism later return to the United States after being raised abroad, raising concerns he linked to national security and intellectual property protection.

While the administration portrays birth tourism as a growing concern, immigration experts say it represents only a small fraction of births in the United States.

The US government does not maintain official statistics on births involving temporary foreign visitors. However, independent estimates suggest that between 20,000 and 26,000 babies are born each year to mothers who entered the country on temporary visas.

Current US immigration regulations already allow consular officers to refuse tourist visa applications if they determine that an applicant’s primary purpose is to obtain US citizenship for a child through childbirth. However, pregnancy itself is not grounds for visa denial. Applicants may still qualify if they demonstrate a legitimate reason for travel and the financial means to cover medical expenses without relying on public assistance.

Legal experts note that any new policy targeting pregnant travellers would likely face significant judicial scrutiny. Immigration authorities would have to ensure that any restrictions comply with constitutional protections, anti-discrimination laws and existing immigration statutes.

The Supreme Court’s ruling reaffirmed decades of constitutional precedent, holding that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to almost everyone born within the United States, regardless of their parents’ immigration status, except in limited circumstances such as children born to accredited foreign diplomats.

Although the administration cannot overturn that constitutional interpretation through executive action, officials have indicated they will continue pursuing alternative measures through legislation, stricter visa screening and criminal investigations into organised birth tourism networks.

Immigration analysts say the debate over birthright citizenship is likely to remain one of the most contentious issues in US immigration policy, with further legal and political battles expected in Congress and the courts.

Trump Weighs Entry Restrictions for Pregnant Foreign Visitors After Supreme Court Ruling