Senator Ali Ndume has expressed shock over a bill introduced in the United States Congress proposing sanctions against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, describing the move as strange and inappropriate.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Borno South lawmaker said he was surprised that Kwankwaso’s name appeared in the proposed legislation, questioning the basis for such inclusion. Ndume suggested that the decision might be driven by intelligence unknown to many Nigerians, but insisted that sanctions and asset freezes imposed by the US, UK and other Western nations are often misguided.
The bill, introduced on Tuesday by five US lawmakers, seeks sanctions against Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore over alleged violations of religious freedom. The proposed law, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, is sponsored by Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga.
According to excerpts of the bill sighted by Channels Television, the US Departments of State and Treasury are urged to impose visa restrictions and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act on individuals and groups accused of severe religious freedom abuses, including Fulani-ethnic nomad militias and the named organisations and individuals.
The development follows the recent redesignation of Nigeria by US President Donald Trump as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged killings of Christians, a decision the sponsoring lawmakers said was justified.
Ndume, however, argued that foreign governments should focus on specific individuals responsible for wrongdoing rather than placing such labels on the entire country. He maintained that most Nigerians are law-abiding citizens and questioned why individuals allegedly holding Nigeria’s assets abroad have not been exposed.
Meanwhile, the Kwankwasiyya Movement, led by Kwankwaso, has rejected the bill, describing the allegations as baseless and politically driven. The group called for the immediate removal of Kwankwaso’s name, insisting that the claims do not align with his public record.
A senior member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), under which Kwankwaso contested the 2023 presidential election, also condemned the bill, questioning the rationale behind singling out one individual in a sensitive matter involving religion and terrorism.
As of the time of filing this report, the former Kano State governor has not officially responded to the proposed legislation.
