The United States House of Representatives has approved a proposal seeking to halt all forms of certain American assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government demonstrates concrete action in tackling insecurity and protecting lives across the country.
The decision followed the adoption of an amendment sponsored by Congressman Gregory Steube, who represents Florida’s 17th Congressional District.
Politics Nigeria reports that the amendment was approved through a voice vote during proceedings in the House on Wednesday.
Before the latest development, lawmakers had proposed withholding 50 per cent of funds earmarked for Nigeria.
The release of such funds was to depend on certification by the US Secretary of State that Nigerian authorities had taken meaningful steps to curb violence, protect vulnerable communities and ensure those responsible for attacks were held accountable.
However, Steube’s amendment raised the threshold from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, effectively seeking a complete suspension of the affected assistance until the conditions are met.
Addressing lawmakers, the Florida representative argued that allowing half of the funding to continue would amount to rewarding a government that has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting its citizens.
“I rise in strong support for my amendment to increase the withholding threshold for assistance to Nigeria, from 50 percent to 100 percent. While keeping in place benchmarks that demand Nigeria take effective steps to address the violence and persecution that continue to devastate the country.
“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address.
“For years, and especially in recent months, Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria have been subjected to violence and terrorism at the hands of extremists operating with impunity.
“Christian women and girls continue to be abducted, assaulted, tortured, and killed. Their churches are burned, and entire communities are erased.
“If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all the funding to the Nigerian government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding.
“The generosity of our taxpayers is a reflection of the American values we hold so firmly.
“Never should we allow their hard earned tax dollars to be funnelled to corrupt regimes that fail to uphold religious freedom, fail to adequately confront terrorism, and fail to protect the innocent from persecution.
“So, why are we rewarding a government that fails to meet such a basic obligation?”
Steube also questioned the justification for continued foreign assistance to Nigeria at a time when the United States is grappling with rising debt levels.
According to him, it is difficult to defend the expenditure of American taxpayer funds on countries that have not shown sufficient commitment to addressing persistent security challenges.
The amendment reflects growing concerns among some US lawmakers over recurring attacks in parts of Nigeria, including incidents linked to terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and communal violence. Several international groups and foreign legislators have repeatedly called for stronger measures to protect civilians and religious minorities affected by the crisis.
If eventually retained in the final legislation and signed into law, the measure could place additional pressure on the Nigerian government to demonstrate progress in combating insecurity and ensuring accountability for violent crimes.
