WASHINGTON (FN) — A U.S. congressman, Riley Moore has accused Nigerian President Bola Tinubu of misrepresenting the state of religious freedom in his country, pointing to blasphemy laws in northern states where minorities face severe penalties, including death sentences.
Rep. Riley Moore said Tinubu’s assurances of tolerance “do not match what is happening on the ground.” He argued that Christians and other minorities in Nigeria’s 12 northern states that implement Sharia law are subject to harsh punishments, including capital punishment for alleged blasphemy against Islam.
“There are states in Nigeria that have blasphemy laws. People who are facing the death penalty right now for blasphemy against Islam,” Moore said. He highlighted the case of a Christian farmer who defended himself from attack by a Fulani militant and now faces execution.
Moore argued that Tinubu’s statements risk complicity in persecution. “I know the president is in a difficult position in trying to protect his interests there in that country. But they are complicit in this to one degree or another with statements like this,” he said.
Tinubu has defended his government, saying Nigeria’s characterization as religiously intolerant “doesn’t reflect our reality.” He insisted that religious freedom and tolerance “have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.” He added that Nigeria “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
Human rights observers say the case of the Christian farmer exemplifies the gap between Nigeria’s official statements and the situation facing religious minorities. Rights groups have long criticized blasphemy laws in northern Nigeria, warning they are used to target Christians and stifle dissent.
Nigeria is constitutionally secular, but 12 northern states enforce Sharia law alongside civil law. Past cases have drawn global outrage, including the 2020 sentencing of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu in Kano State for alleged blasphemy. International watchdogs argue such laws undermine Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion.
Moore also issued a warning on his official X account, urging Nigeria not to test the resolve of the United States under President Donald Trump. He said Washington would not ignore reports of Christian persecution, describing it as “atrocity that worsens every day.”
Tinubu responded by reaffirming that religious tolerance remains central to Nigeria’s national identity. “Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” he said. He pledged that his administration would continue to work with the United States and international partners to safeguard communities.
Public reaction has been sharply divided. Supporters of Tinubu argue that the president is right to stress Nigeria’s constitutional protections, saying Moore’s comments exaggerate the situation and risk painting Nigeria unfairly as intolerant. Critics inside Nigeria, including rights activists, counter that Moore’s remarks reflect realities in northern states where Sharia law is enforced. Civil society groups warn that dismissing these concerns undermines trust and leaves minorities vulnerable.
In the United States, human rights advocates welcomed Moore’s comments, saying they bring international attention to Christian persecution in Nigeria. Congressional debate is expected to intensify, with lawmakers preparing to spotlight religious freedom in Africa. Critics of Moore, however, caution that framing Nigeria as complicit could strain relations, arguing that engagement and support for reform are more constructive than public confrontation.
The exchange underscores growing tension between Washington and Abuja over human rights, as U.S. lawmakers spotlight persecution cases while Nigeria’s government insists it remains committed to constitutional protections and religious freedom. Analysts say the dispute highlights a broader challenge: balancing Nigeria’s constitutional framework with regional religious laws, while managing international pressure from allies who view blasphemy prosecutions as violations of fundamental rights.
