Northern groups reject Trump’s threat to sanction supporters of Sharia law in Nigeria

Northern groups reject Trump’s threat to sanction supporters of Sharia law in Nigeria

Abuja — Several northern Nigerian organisations have strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose sanctions on individuals and state governments supporting the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria.

Trump’s remarks have reignited debate in Washington, where some U.S. lawmakers and human rights advocates are pushing for punitive measures against Nigerian officials backing the Sharia legal framework in parts of the North.

In September, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, arguing that Nigerian officials who endorse or enforce Sharia and blasphemy laws should face visa bans, asset freezes, and other sanctions. Cruz, who described Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” claimed such actions would pressure authorities to end alleged religious persecution.

Several American advocacy groups — including Alliance Defending Freedom and Advancing American Freedom — have also urged the U.S. State Department to sanction Nigeria, citing alleged violations of religious freedom in 12 northern states where Sharia is either fully or partially implemented.

As of 2025, Sharia law operates at varying levels in Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Gombe states, while Kaduna and Niger implement it partially.

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However, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) have rejected the U.S. stance, describing it as “a direct assault on Islam” and “an unwarranted interference” in Nigeria’s internal affairs.

NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, dismissed Trump’s comments as “baseless and arrogant,” insisting that they do not reflect the position of the U.S. government.

“The Northern Elders Forum has seriously frowned at this threat, which to me is an empty threat. Even in the U.S., it has not passed through the normal legislative process. It’s just Trump’s personal arrogance,” Jiddere told our correspondent on Thursday.

He denied allegations of religious persecution in the North, saying both Muslims and Christians suffer equally from insecurity. Jiddere also alleged that Washington’s position may be influenced by discomfort over Nigeria’s growing economic ties with China.

CNG National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, warned that such sanctions could heighten anti-Western sentiment and further strain relations between Nigeria and the United States.

“For most northern communities, Sharia is not just law but a way of life — deeply tied to faith, culture, and local legitimacy,” Charanchi said. “Any governor who attempts to weaken or halt Sharia enforcement would face serious backlash from religious scholars, traditional rulers, and the public, who view Sharia as divine and non-negotiable.”

Sharia law, first introduced in Zamfara State under former Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima in 1999, initially covered personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, and morality. Over time, however, some northern states have expanded it to include criminal and penal provisions.

Observers warn that the diplomatic tension sparked by Trump’s comments could further complicate U.S.–Nigeria relations at a time when both nations are seeking closer cooperation on security, trade, and governance.

Northern groups reject Trump’s threat to sanction supporters of Sharia law in Nigeria