The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and allied political movement have strongly rejected a United States congress proposal that could lead to visa bans and asset freezes on former Kano State governor and prominent opposition figure Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The controversial measure, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives as the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, seeks to target individuals and groups accused of severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
If enacted, it would authorise sanctions including travel restrictions and financial penalties under existing U.S. human rights and foreign policy frameworks.
In a public statement from Abuja, the NNPP condemned the move as “contrived” and politically motivated, insisting that Kwankwaso has no record of involvement in religious intolerance or violence.
National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson questioned why the former governor was singled out, especially given that other northern Nigerian leaders who implemented Sharia legal systems were not included.
Johnson also highlighted Kwankwaso’s broader political record, including his choice of a Christian running mate in the 2023 presidential election and his relationships with religious communities in Kano State, arguing that these facts contradict the basis for the proposed sanctions.
The party urged U.S. lawmakers to conduct thorough investigations before making determinations that could damage reputations and bilateral relations.
The Kwankwassiya political movement a support base associated with Kwankwaso expressed shock at the news and said it was still assessing the implications of the sanctions proposal.
Party representatives described the U.S. initiative as selectively judgmental and unfairly targeting an opposition figure at a sensitive moment in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The proposed U.S. legislation is part of a wider congressional effort focused on human rights issues in Nigeria, including allegations of religious persecution against Christian communities and controversial enforcement of blasphemy laws in northern states. U.S. lawmakers sponsoring the bill argue that it would strengthen accountability and protect religious freedoms, though critics say it risks straining diplomatic ties between the two countries.
