U.S. Lawmaker Riley Moore Accuses Rabiu Kwankwaso Of Enabling Sharia Law That Permits Death For Blasphemy

 

A new diplomatic storm is unfolding between Nigeria and the United States following a sharp rebuke from American lawmaker Riley Moore directed at former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The U.S. politician, known for his fierce advocacy against what he calls the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, accused the Nigerian statesman of promoting Sharia law provisions that allow capital punishment for blasphemy.

The controversy erupted after Mr. Moore took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to question Mr. Kwankwaso’s moral standing regarding religious violence in Northern Nigeria. Reacting to Kwankwaso’s comments on former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria under the pretext of protecting Christians, Moore declared that the former governor bore partial responsibility for Christian deaths in the country.

Mr. Moore, who currently serves as a Republican lawmaker in West Virginia, wrote directly under Kwankwaso’s post, asking pointedly, “Governor, do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians?” He then accused Kwankwaso of institutionalizing the legal framework that legitimizes blasphemy punishments, a claim that stirred fresh debate about Nigeria’s religious and legal systems.

Observers quickly recalled that during Kwankwaso’s first tenure as governor in 2000, Kano State adopted a Sharia Penal Code, a law that has since been associated with controversial trials and sentences involving alleged acts of blasphemy. While Sharia law functions primarily within the Muslim community in northern Nigeria, its application in certain criminal cases has triggered global concern, especially from human rights groups that argue it contradicts fundamental freedoms and Nigeria’s secular constitution.

Moore’s remarks followed Kwankwaso’s earlier post addressing Donald Trump’s public call for military action in Nigeria. The former president had ordered the U.S. Department of War to explore options for an armed intervention to confront what he described as “terrorists killing Christians.” The statement, though not representing official U.S. policy, ignited an international conversation about religious violence in Africa’s most populous nation.

Kwankwaso, a former senator and presidential candidate, countered that the U.S. should focus on supporting Nigeria through advanced technology, intelligence sharing, and security partnerships instead of threats of invasion. According to him, military intervention from a foreign power would only deepen existing divisions and fuel instability across the country.

Riley Moore, however, was unmoved by Kwankwaso’s argument. He accused the Nigerian politician of hypocrisy, saying the same man who once endorsed the legal structure allowing death sentences for blasphemy could not credibly appeal for global cooperation on human rights and peace. “You signed into law the Sharia Penal Code that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death,” Moore reminded his audience.

His comments reignited debates across Nigerian social media spaces and political circles, with many questioning whether American lawmakers were overstepping boundaries in domestic religious matters. Supporters of Kwankwaso dismissed Moore’s allegations as politically motivated, claiming that his remarks were designed to rally conservative voters in the U.S. who follow global Christian persecution narratives. Others argued that Moore’s criticism echoed growing international frustration with Nigeria’s inability to protect minorities and enforce secular justice uniformly.

The conversation also highlighted the complex relationship between religion, governance, and human rights in Nigeria. Over a dozen northern states operate Sharia legal systems alongside the federal constitution, creating a dual legal framework that sometimes results in contradictory rulings. Cases of alleged blasphemy, particularly those involving Christians or minority Muslims, have periodically led to mob violence or death sentences, drawing condemnation from international human rights bodies.

Moore’s comments come amid a renewed push in the U.S. Congress for stricter diplomatic measures against countries accused of religious persecution. Senator Ted Cruz, another Republican, recently proposed legislation targeting Nigerian officials who enforce or endorse blasphemy laws. The bill seeks to impose sanctions, revoke visas, and suspend military cooperation with such individuals. Fellow lawmakers Nancy Mace and Riley Moore have been vocal supporters of the proposal, describing Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice Christianity freely.

While Kwankwaso has not directly responded to Moore’s latest remarks, his previous statements reflect a position focused on internal solutions rather than foreign intervention. He insists that Nigeria’s security challenges stem from governance failures, unemployment, and weak institutions, not purely religious motivations.

The escalating exchange between the two politicians underscores the widening gap between Western interpretations of religious freedom and the complex sociopolitical dynamics within northern Nigeria. Analysts warn that if the conversation continues along confrontational lines, it could strain U.S.-Nigeria relations at a time when both countries are seeking stronger collaboration on counterterrorism, trade, and democratic governance.

As reactions continue to spread online, the issue once again brings into focus Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to balance religious autonomy with the principles of a secular state. For critics like Riley Moore, the existence of blasphemy laws is incompatible with modern human rights values. For defenders of the current system, Sharia law represents a cultural and religious identity deeply rooted in the northern states.

The unfolding exchange between Moore and Kwankwaso has therefore become more than a political squabble; it is a reflection of two clashing worldviews on faith, law, and the boundaries of sovereignty in the modern era.