A U.S. legislator has questioned the Nigerian government’s stance on religious freedom, citing what he describes as contradictions between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s public declarations and the realities faced by citizens.
Rep. Riley Moore, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), noted that President Tinubu has insisted his administration opposes religious persecution. However, Moore pointed out that 12 states in Nigeria still enforce Sharia law, and highlighted the case of a Christian man who faces the death penalty after allegedly killing a Fulani militant in self-defense.
Moore also shared excerpts of Tinubu’s previous statement on religious tolerance, where the president said:
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality. Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
The congressman argued that these assurances conflict with ongoing incidents in parts of northern Nigeria, including the prosecution of the Christian farmer, which has sparked international concern.
Moore made his comments during an interview on Fox News Sunday, which he later reposted alongside his critique of the Nigerian government.
The case referenced by Moore has intensified scrutiny from international observers and religious freedom advocates, who say it underscores persistent tensions between farming communities and militant herders in the country. So far, the Nigerian government has not responded directly to Moore’s statements.
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