The United States government has threatened sanctions against some Nigerian northern governors, judges, traditional rulers, and Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi over alleged promotion of blasphemy laws and tolerance of religious violence.

A proposed U.S. bill seeks to penalize Nigerian officials accused of “promoting, enacting, or maintaining blasphemy laws” or “tolerating violence by non-state actors invoking religious justification.” If passed, officials could face visa bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability framework.

The legislation targets 12 northern states—Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe—where Sharia law has been expanded to criminal and public morality provisions since 1999. Human-rights groups have long criticized such laws for discrimination against Christians and minority groups.

Sheikh Gumi, reportedly affected by the proposed sanctions, spoke to DAILY POST from Turkey, saying he was unaware of any official communication but would not be surprised if included. He dismissed the threat as a “distraction” and called for unity and peaceful coexistence among Muslims and Christians.

“Let us live in peace. If we live peacefully, the evil plans of the West will not succeed against us… Allah will not grant them victory,” Gumi said, highlighting harmony between faiths using the example of Haifa Mosque in Sofia, Turkey, which was once a church.

So far, the 12 governors affected have not issued any official statements. The bill still requires full congressional approval and the U.S. President’s assent before sanctions can take effect.