By Peace Udugba
The United States House of Representatives has approved a legislative amendment seeking to withhold 100 per cent of certain US financial assistance to Nigeria until the Federal Government takes concrete steps to tackle insecurity and protect its citizens.
The amendment, sponsored by Representative Gregory Steube, was adopted through a voice vote on Wednesday, increasing the proposed withholding of aid from an initial 50 per cent to 100 per cent.
Under the proposal, the affected funds will remain suspended until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken effective measures to prevent and respond to violence and ensure that those responsible for such attacks are brought to justice.
Speaking in support of the amendment, Steube argued that withholding only half of the assistance would amount to rewarding the Nigerian government despite what he described as its failure to fulfil 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,” the lawmaker said.
