US Congressman Accuses Kwankwaso Over Sharia Law After Kano Ex-governor Responds to Trump’s Threat
- US 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 the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria
- The Nigerian senator called for unity and diplomatic engagement, while Moore challenged his record on blasphemy laws in the country
A sharp exchange unfolded online after US Representative Riley M. Moore responded to Nigerian Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s remarks on President Donald Trump’s recent warning about the country's religious freedom record.
Senator Kwankwaso, who is 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'.
Source: Twitter
In his message, Senator Kwankwaso urged the US to support Nigeria with advanced technology to fight insecurity, rather than issue threats that could deepen divisions.
He 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’.”
Kwankwaso 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 US government.
“To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria,” he concluded.
US Rep. links Kwankwaso to blasphemy law
In a swift and pointed reaction on X (formerly Twitter), Moore accused Kwankwaso of hypocrisy, referencing the senator’s past role in implementing Sharia law in Kano State.
The US Rep. 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:
Debate on religious freedom in Nigeria intensifies
The exchange has added fuel to an already sensitive debate about religious freedom and human rights in the West African nation.
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 local and international observers are watching closely how these diplomatic tensions unfold and what impact they may have on US-Nigeria relations.
Source: Getty Images
12 states where governors may face sanctions
Legit.ng earlier reported that 12 governors from northern Nigeria may face severe sanctions amid a renewed push by the US Congress to hold officials accountable for alleged religious persecution.
This comes after American President Donald Trump designated the West African nation as a 'country of particular concern' and called for swift action over what he described as 'Christian genocide'.
Trump posted on Truth Social about the reported killings of Christians in Nigeria, calling on congressmen and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the matter and report back to him.
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Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
