US Congressman Accuses Kwankwaso Over Sharia Law After Kano Ex-Governor Responds to Trump’s Threat

US Congressman Accuses Kwankwaso Over Sharia Law After Kano Ex-Governor Responds to Trump’s Threat

  • U.S. Rep. Riley M. Moore has accused Nigerian Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of enabling religious persecution through Sharia law
  • The accusation followed Kwankwaso’s response to President Donald Trump’s warning about Nigeria’s treatment of Christians
  • Kwankwaso urged unity and diplomatic engagement, while Moore challenged his record on blasphemy laws

A sharp exchange unfolded online after U.S. Representative Riley M. Moore responded to Nigerian Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s remarks on President Donald Trump’s recent warning about Nigeria’s religious freedom record.

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, had issued a statement expressing concern over President Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”

U.S. Rep. Riley M. Moore accuses Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of enforcing Sharia law and enabling blasphemy-related deaths in Nigeria.
Kwankwaso urges unity and diplomacy after Donald Trump labels Nigeria a “country of particular concern. Photo credit: RMKwankwaso/RepRileyMoore/X
Source: Twitter

In his message, Kwankwaso urged the United States to support Nigeria with advanced technology to fight insecurity, rather than issue threats that could deepen divisions.

Kwankwaso stated:

“I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern.’”

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He added that Nigeria remained a sovereign nation facing threats from various outlaw groups, and that these threats did not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, or politics.

He called for unity among Nigerians and encouraged the government to appoint special envoys and permanent ambassadors to engage with the U.S. government.

“To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria,” he concluded.

Riley M. Moore links Kwankwaso to blasphemy law

In a swift and pointed reaction on X (formerly Twitter), Rep. Riley M. Moore accused Kwankwaso of hypocrisy, referencing the senator’s past role in implementing Sharia law in Kano State.

Moore wrote:

“Governor - do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians? You instituted Sharia law. You signed the law that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death.”

His post appeared to link Kwankwaso’s past governance decisions to ongoing concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria, particularly in the northern states where Sharia law is enforced.

See the X post below:

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Religious freedom debate intensifies

The exchange has added fuel to an already sensitive debate about religious freedom and human rights in Nigeria.

Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a country of concern has drawn mixed reactions, with some welcoming international scrutiny and others, like Kwankwaso, warning against external pressure that could destabilise the country further.

As the conversation continues, both Nigerian and international observers are watching closely how these diplomatic tensions unfold and what impact they may have on U.S.-Nigeria relations.

Religious freedom in Nigeria sparks global debate following Trump’s warning and Moore’s sharp rebuke of Kwankwaso.
Religious freedom in Nigeria sparks global debate following Trump’s warning and Moore’s sharp rebuke of Kwankwaso. Photo credit: Andrew Harnik/GettyImages
Source: Getty Images

12 states where governors may face severe sanctions

Legit.ng earlier reported that twelve governors from northern Nigeria may face severe sanctions following a renewed push by the United States Congress to hold Nigerian officials accountable for alleged religious persecution.

The move comes after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and urged swift action over what he described as a “Christian genocide.”

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Pastor Adefarasin questions Trump’s sudden love for Nigerian Christians in viral video

President Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing alarm over the reported killings of Christians in Nigeria. He called on Congressman Riley Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the matter and report back to him.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Basit Jamiu avatar

Basit Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor) Basit Jamiu is a journalist with more than five years of experience. He is a current affairs and politics editor at Legit.ng. He holds a bachelor's degree from Ekiti State University (2018). Basit previously worked as a staff writer at Ikeja Bird (2022), Associate Editor at Prime Progress (2022), and Staff Writer at The Movee (2018). He is a 2024 Open Climate Fellow (West Africa), 2023 MTN Media Fellow, OCRP Fellow at ICIR, and Accountability Fellow at CJID. Email: basit.jamiu@corp.legit.ng.