A U.S. lawmaker has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government over its stance on religious freedom, pointing to what he describes as contradictions between official claims and realities on the ground in Nigeria.

 

 

 

Rep. Riley Moore, in a post shared on X, said President Tinubu “claims his government opposes religious persecution,” but noted that 12 Nigerian states operate under Sharia law, while “a Christian faces the death penalty for defending his farm from a Muslim Fulani militant who stabbed him repeatedly.”

 

 

 

 

Moore shared excerpts from Tinubu’s earlier statement on religious freedom, where the Nigerian 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 U.S. congressman argued that these assurances clash with ongoing cases in northern states, including the prosecution of a Christian farmer who allegedly killed his attacker in self-defence.

 

 

 

Moore’s comments were part of his interview on Fox News Sunday, which he reposted alongside his criticism of the Nigerian government.Events listing platform

 

 

 

The case referenced by Moore has drawn concern from international observers and religious freedom advocates, who say it highlights long-standing tensions between farmers and militant herder groups, an issue that remains deeply polarising in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has not yet issued a direct response to Moore’s remarks.