Senior Counsel at Global Religious Freedom, Sean Nelson, has called out former Kano State governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, following the latter’s statement addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about Nigeria.

Kwankwaso had issued a statement on his verified X page expressing concern over Trump’s “heightened pronouncements” and designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.” In his message, he urged diplomatic engagement over confrontation and emphasized that insecurity in Nigeria “does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs.”

“It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” Kwankwaso said.

“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country.”

Kwankwaso also advised the Nigerian government to strengthen its diplomatic presence by appointing special envoys and permanent ambassadors to engage Washington and other global partners.

However, Sean Nelson reacted critically to the statement, questioning Kwankwaso’s moral authority to speak on religious tolerance.

Quoting the former governor’s post, Nelson wrote:

“This is the former governor of Kano State, Nigeria 🇳🇬. Kano State is currently trying to execute people for alleged blasphemy under its Sharia criminal laws.”

This is a former Governor of Kano state which is currently trying to execute people for alleged blasphemy under its Sharia criminal laws - Senior Counsel at Global Religious Freedom Sean Nelson calls out Rabiu Kwankwaso

His response referred to ongoing high-profile blasphemy cases in Kano State, where individuals have faced death sentences under the state’s Sharia legal system, a situation that has drawn international condemnation from human rights and religious freedom advocates.

Kwankwaso’s comments come amid escalating tensions between Nigeria and the United States following Trump’s threat to take military action against Nigeria over the alleged killing of Christians.