The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has expressed shock over reports that the United States (U.S.) Congress is considering a bill seeking to impose sanctions on its National Leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged religious freedom violations.
The proposed legislation, titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), reportedly names Kwankwaso alongside the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and a Fulani ethnic militia group as individuals and entities that should face targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, for purported involvement in “severe religious freedom violations.”
Reacting to the development on Wednesday, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ladipo Johnson, dismissed any suggestion that Kwankwaso had been responsible for religious persecution.
Johnson described the allegation as “curious and regrettable,” insisting that the former Kano State governor had no connection with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria.
“We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria.
His record is in the public domain, whether in public office or in private life, and it is advisable for people to investigate properly before reaching such conclusions,” Johnson said.
He recalled that months earlier, Kwankwaso had publicly reacted when former U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution.
In a statement posted on his X handle at the time, Kwankwaso cautioned against what he described as oversimplified characterizations of Nigeria’s internal challenges, stressing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation facing diverse security threats from criminal elements.
However, the NNPP noted that U.S. Representative Riley Moore had, in a post on X, challenged Kwankwaso over alleged complicity in the deaths of Christians, referencing the implementation of Sharia law in Kano State during his tenure as governor. Moore reportedly questioned Kwankwaso over laws making blasphemy punishable by death.
Kano State, under Kwankwaso’s leadership, implemented Islamic legal codes, joining other northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa and Borno.
The NNPP, however, questioned the fairness of singling out Kwankwaso, asking why other governors who introduced Sharia in their states were not similarly accused. The party also queried whether the U.S. lawmaker’s stance was selective.
Johnson further argued that Kwankwaso’s record in office demonstrated his commitment to security and national unity.
He stated that as governor, Kwankwaso ensured that the Boko Haram sect was eliminated from Kano State and maintained cordial relationships with Christian leaders within and outside the state.
The party also highlighted that Kwankwaso supported a Christian presidential candidate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, at a time when he faced political pressure over religious issues, and later chose Bishop Isaac Idahosa, a Christian cleric, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.
“These are the facts which we believe should guide the Congress and its leaders, particularly Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, to conduct a thorough investigation into the credibility of our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, so that justice is done and his name cleared of undue embarrassment,” Johnson said.
The NNPP maintained that it would continue to monitor developments surrounding the proposed U.S. legislation.
