Pat Stevens/
A United States Congressman, Riley M. Moore, has accused former Kano State governor and presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, of complicity in the killing of Christians in northern Nigeria, citing his role in instituting Sharia law during his tenure as governor.
Moore’s accusation came in reaction to Kwankwaso’s post on X, in which the Nigerian politician commented on President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian persecution.
In his statement, Kwankwaso had urged restraint and diplomacy in response to Trump’s renewed focus on Nigeria, cautioning against measures that could heighten internal divisions.
“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country,” Kwankwaso wrote.
“The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs. The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country.”
Kwankwaso also called on the Nigerian government to appoint special envoys and permanent ambassadors to engage the American government and protect Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
Responding directly, Moore questioned Kwankwaso’s moral standing to speak on the issue, accusing him of historical culpability in religious violence.
“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,” Moore wrote.
Attached to his post was a BBC News report dated November 26, 2000, which detailed how Kano, under Kwankwaso’s administration, formally introduced full Sharia law.
The report noted that the governor had come under pressure to follow the example of other northern Nigerian states that had adopted the Islamic legal system, including harsh punishments for offences deemed as blasphemy.
Moore’s reaction followed Trump’s recent statement branding Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” citing continued attacks on Christians and other religious minorities. Trump warned that the United States “will not ignore genocide,” raising the prospect of military intervention.
Kwankwaso has yet to respond directly to Moore’s accusation. However, his earlier remarks emphasised national unity and the need for international cooperation, saying,
“To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria.”
Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern marks a revival of a policy position first introduced during his presidency in 2020, before being dropped by the Biden administration.
The move, seen by many observers as a response to renewed reports of killings and attacks on Christian communities, has reignited global debate on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and the responsibility of political leaders in addressing the crisis.
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