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U.S. Congressman Rep. Riley Moore has blamed former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for the killings and persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria, saying the politician personally introduced the Sharia law that prescribes death for blasphemy.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Moore addressed Kwankwaso directly, writing, “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.”
Riley Moore and a trending sticker on X
The U.S. lawmaker accompanied his post with a screenshot of a 2000 BBC News report titled “Kano introduces full Sharia law”, which documented how Kwankwaso’s administration officially implemented Islamic legal codes in Kano State during his tenure as governor.
Kwankwaso, who led the state from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015, has faced renewed scrutiny following his previous comments defending Nigeria’s human rights record.
Moore’s statement followed after Kwankwaso had dismissed concerns raised by U.S. President Donald Trump when Nigeria was designated as a “country of particular concern” over religious persecution.
At the time, the former governor insisted that Nigeria’s insecurity was not based on religion or ethnicity, describing the U.S. decision as unnecessary interference.
Moore’s remarks have reignited international attention on the implementation of Sharia law in northern Nigeria and its consequences for freedom of religion and the safety of Christian minorities.
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.
