Tinubu's government says it opposes religious persecution but 12 states have Sharia law - US lawmaker

Report on Tinubu’s Government, Religious Persecution, and U.S. Lawmaker’s Criticism

Summary: A U.S. lawmaker, Riley Moore, has publicly challenged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s assertion that his administration opposes religious persecution. Moore argues that Tinubu’s statements contradict realities on the ground, particularly in Nigeria’s 12 northern states where Sharia law is enforced. The lawmaker highlights ongoing cases of blasphemy prosecutions and violence against Christians, raising concerns about Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom.

Background

President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly stated that his government is committed to protecting religious freedom and ensuring tolerance among Nigeria’s diverse faith communities. Earlier this month, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria is constitutionally bound to safeguard the rights of all citizens regardless of their religion. He insisted that his administration does not condone religious persecution and that Nigeria remains a country of religious tolerance and coexistence.

However, these assurances have been met with skepticism internationally. The United States lawmaker Riley Moore, speaking on Fox News and through social media posts, accused Tinubu of misrepresenting the situation in Nigeria. Moore is currently leading investigations into what he describes as a “genocide of Christians” in Nigeria, particularly in regions affected by extremist violence and Sharia-based legal systems.

U.S. Lawmaker’s Criticism

Riley Moore’s central argument is that Tinubu’s government is engaging in public relations rather than addressing the realities of religious persecution. He pointed out that 12 Nigerian states operate under Sharia law, which includes blasphemy statutes that can impose severe penalties, including death sentences. Moore cited specific cases where Christians are facing capital punishment for alleged blasphemy against Islam.

One example he highlighted involves a Christian farmer who defended himself against an attack by a Fulani militant. Despite being the victim of violence, the farmer is reportedly facing the death penalty under Sharia law. Moore argued that such cases demonstrate that Tinubu’s assurances of religious tolerance are “completely false” and fail to reflect the lived experiences of religious minorities in Nigeria.

Broader Context

Nigeria’s religious landscape is deeply complex, with a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion but also allows states to adopt Sharia law in civil and criminal matters. The 12 northern states that enforce Sharia law have long been criticized for blasphemy prosecutions, which disproportionately affect Christians and other minorities. International human rights organizations have documented instances of mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and systemic discrimination against non-Muslims in these regions.

Tinubu’s government faces a difficult balancing act. On one hand, it seeks to project Nigeria as a tolerant and pluralistic society to the international community. On the other, it must navigate domestic political realities where Sharia law enjoys strong support among northern constituencies. This tension has led critics like Moore to argue that Tinubu is prioritizing political expediency over human rights protections.

Conclusion

The controversy underscores the ongoing debate about religious freedom in Nigeria. While Tinubu’s administration insists that it opposes persecution, the existence of Sharia law in 12 states and the prosecution of individuals for blasphemy raise serious questions about the country’s commitment to constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Riley Moore’s intervention has amplified international scrutiny, suggesting that Nigeria’s government may face increasing pressure to reconcile its public statements with the realities of religious minorities on the ground.

In essence, Tinubu’s claim of opposing religious persecution is being directly challenged by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore, who argues that the enforcement of Sharia law in 12 states contradicts Nigeria’s constitutional promise of religious freedom.