“US Lawmaker Slams Tinubu: ‘Nigeria Cannot Claim Religious Freedom Amid Sharia Persecutions’”
By Paul Ebi
Washington, D.C. — A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has pushed back against comments reportedly made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asserting that Nigeria does not tolerate religious persecution. Moore argued that ongoing blasphemy prosecutions and the enforcement of Sharia-based statutes in some northern states contradict the president’s remarks.
In a statement released on Sunday, Moore said Nigeria’s human-rights landscape still reflects “deeply concerning patterns,” particularly for individuals accused of religious offences. He referenced high-profile blasphemy cases and the application of Sharia law in several states as evidence that “religious expression in Nigeria is not uniformly protected.”
“While Nigeria is a strategic partner and an important democracy in Africa, we cannot ignore the documented cases where citizens face severe penalties for religious expression,” Moore noted. “Statements claiming there is no religious persecution are inconsistent with reports and ongoing legal proceedings.”
President Tinubu had earlier maintained that Nigeria upholds freedom of worship and remains committed to ensuring the safety and rights of all religious groups. However, human-rights advocates, both locally and internationally, have long highlighted tensions between constitutional guarantees and State-level religious laws.
Moore urged US authorities to “remain vigilant” and continue engaging Nigerian leaders on issues related to human rights, rule of law, and due process. He emphasized that constructive pressure and diplomatic dialogue are essential in safeguarding minority rights.
As of press time, Nigerian officials had not issued an official response to Moore’s remarks, but sources within the presidency described the lawmaker’s comments as “mischaracterisations” of Nigeria’s legal framework.
Observers say the exchange underscores ongoing global scrutiny of Nigeria’s human-rights record, particularly as debates around religious freedom continue to draw international attention.
