United States Congressman Barry Moore has introduced a bill seeking to prohibit the Nigerian government from paying lobbying firms to represent its interests in the US for as long as Nigeria remains designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom.
The proposed legislation, identified as H.R.10939, seeks to make it illegal for individuals or firms in the United States to receive payment for lobbying on behalf of the Nigerian government while the designation remains in place.
The development comes amid growing concerns in the US Congress over alleged Christian genocide and persecution in Nigeria.
According to the bill, any lobbying firm that collects money to lobby for Nigeria while the country remains on the CPC list will be sanctioned.
The lawmaker claim that the Nigerian government has spent millions of dollars hiring Lobbyists in Washington to whitewash the killing of Christians in Nigeria, while doing nothing to stop the attacks.
“For too long, the Nigerian government has paid high-priced lobbyists in Washington to cover up the persecution of Christians while doing little to stop it. This bill will end that”, Moore said.
“If passed, the bill will make it illegal for any person or firm in the US to receive payment to lobby on behalf of the Nigerian government until the Country of Particular Concern designation is lifted”, Moore said.
The bill has been referred to the relevant congressional committee for consideration. It has not become law, meaning the proposed restriction is not yet in force.
-9News Nigeria.
