The Kwankwassiya movement and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have strongly rejected the proposed United States visa ban and asset freeze on their leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing the measure as unfair, politically motivated, and based on selective judgment targeting an opposition figure in Nigeria.
The reactions followed the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the US Congress, which recommends sanctions on Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah groups, and alleged Fulani militias over claims of involvement in religious persecution and violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
Mansur Kurugu, spokesman of the Kwankwassiya movement, said the group received the news with shock and is currently studying the implications.
“We received the information just like any other Nigerians with shock. At the moment, we are studying what that means and at a later time we shall issue a proper statement,” Kurugu said.
Sources gathered that Senator Kwankwaso is currently out of the country.
NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson described the sanctions proposal as contrived and an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the party’s national leader.
He expressed surprise that Kwankwaso was being singled out for alleged religious freedom violations he “knows nothing about.”
“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 there in the public domain, either in public office or in private life, and it is advisable for people to investigate properly before reaching such conclusions,” Johnson said.
The NNPP questioned the fairness of the allegations, particularly those linking Kwankwaso to blasphemy laws in Kano State.
The party pointed out that other governors who introduced Sharia law in their states were not accused, raising concerns about selective targeting.
“Is Rep Riley Moore being fair or selective? Why were the other state governors who introduced Sharia in their states not accused as well? Isn’t it strange that it is Kwankwaso, an opposition leader who has consistently spoken out about insecurity, that the United States now appears to be turning on?” Johnson asked.
The party argued that Kwankwaso’s political history contradicts any claim of religious extremism. It noted that he ran with a Christian bishop, Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election and maintained close relationships with Christian leaders in Kano.
During his tenure as governor, Kwankwaso was credited with pushing Boko Haram out of Kano State.
“These are facts which should guide the Congress and its leaders to conduct a thorough investigation so that justice is done to the noble name of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and he is cleared of such undue embarrassment,” the NNPP stated.
The US bill, sponsored by Representative Riley Moore and co-sponsored by others, aims to address alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. It proposes visa bans and asset freezes on named individuals and groups, urges the designation of certain Fulani militias as terrorist organisations, and requires annual reports on Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom standards.
If passed and signed into law, the legislation could increase diplomatic and political pressure on Nigeria.
However, the Kwankwassiya movement and NNPP maintain that Kwankwaso’s inclusion in the bill reflects political targeting rather than evidence-based findings, and they have called for a fair and thorough review to clear his name.
