“Do You Care to Comment on Your Own Complicity in the Death of Christians?” — U.S. Congressman Riley Moore Slams Kwankwaso

U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has accused Nigerian politician and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of being complicit in the persecution and deaths of Christians following his administration’s introduction of Sharia law in 2000.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Moore 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.”

Moore’s statement was accompanied by a screenshot of a BBC News article from November 26, 2000, titled “Kano introduces full Sharia law.” The report, written by Barnaby Phillips, detailed Kano State’s adoption of the Islamic legal system under Kwankwaso’s leadership, joining other northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, and Borno.

According to the BBC, the official launch of Sharia law in Kano drew hundreds of thousands of people, though full implementation came months later. The report also noted that Kwankwaso’s administration had faced intense political and religious pressure to follow the example of other northern states.

Moore’s remarks came in response to a recent post by Kwankwaso addressing U.S. criticism of Nigeria’s human rights and religious freedom record. The former governor condemned comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Nigeria’s designation as a “country of particular concern,” arguing that the nation’s security challenges affect all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Kwankwaso wrote:

“Our country faces threats from outlaws across regions without distinction of religion, ethnicity, or politics. The United States should support Nigerian authorities with advanced technology to fight insecurity, rather than making statements that could further divide us.”

He urged the Nigerian government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with Washington and appoint special envoys and permanent ambassadors to defend the nation’s interests abroad.

Kwankwaso concluded with a call for national unity:

“To my fellow countrymen, this is a time to emphasise unity over division. God bless Nigeria.”

Moore’s comments have reignited debate over the legacy of Sharia law in northern Nigeria, which critics argue has contributed to religious intolerance and discrimination against Christians and other minorities.

As of the time of this report, Kwankwaso has not publicly responded to the congressman’s allegations.