Meanwhile, Congressman Riley Moore Calls Out Kwankwaso Over Sharia Law
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at holding Nigerian officials accountable for enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws, which he says have fueled the persecution of Christians in the country.
In a statement shared on social media, Cruz praised President Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over religious persecution — a move he described as “a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials.”
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today,” he stated.
The Texas senator said his forthcoming bill would take further steps to sanction Nigerian officials involved in human rights violations and religious oppression, especially those enforcing laws that criminalize blasphemy or impose Sharia-based punishments.
“My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures,” he added.
Cruz also commended President Trump’s leadership, calling his decision “a great one,” and said the legislation would help strengthen protections for Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has tackled former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Accusing him of complicity in the persecution and deaths of Christians following the introduction of Sharia law in the state in 2000. Moore, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), 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.”
His comments were accompanied by a screenshot of a BBC News article dated November 26, 2000, titled “Kano Introduces Full Sharia Law.”
The BBC report, written by Barnaby Phillips, noted that under Kwankwaso’s leadership, Kano State formally launched the Islamic legal code at a rally attended by hundreds of thousands of people, joining other northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, and Borno. However, the full implementation came months later after intense pressure from religious leaders and political groups.
Moore’s criticism came in response to a recent post by Kwankwaso, who had faulted the U.S. over its stance on Nigeria’s human rights and religious freedom record. In his statement, Kwankwaso accused the Trump administration of unfairly branding Nigeria a “country of particular concern,” arguing that insecurity in the country affects everyone equally, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs. The United States should assist Nigeria with better technology to tackle these problems rather than posing a threat that could further polarize our country,” Kwankwaso wrote.
He also urged the Nigerian government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with Washington by appointing special envoys and permanent ambassadors, adding that “this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division.”
Moore’s response has reignited debate over the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria — a policy critics say has fostered religious intolerance, discrimination, and extrajudicial killings targeting Christians and non-Muslims.
As of press time, Kwankwaso has not publicly responded to Moore’s accusations.