Kwankwassiya, NNPP reject US sanctions on Kwankwaso, allege political blackmail
By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA
The Kwankwassiya movement and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have rejected a proposed United States legislation recommending sanctions against former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing the move as unfair, politically motivated and based on selective judgment against an opposition figure.
Their reactions followed the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the US Congress. The bill reportedly recommends sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against Kwankwaso, certain Miyetti Allah groups and alleged Fulani militias over claims of religious persecution in Nigeria.
Spokesman of the Kwankwassiya movement, Mansur Kurugu, said the group received news of the proposed sanctions with shock and is currently reviewing its 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 stated.
Also reacting, the NNPP described the sanctions proposal as “contrived” and an attempt to smear the reputation of its national leader.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, questioned why Kwankwaso was singled out over 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 party further challenged claims linking Kwankwaso to blasphemy laws in Kano State, arguing that other northern governors who introduced Sharia law were not similarly accused.
“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 NNPP maintained that Kwankwaso’s political history contradicts claims of religious extremism. The party cited his choice of a Christian cleric, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election as evidence of his inclusive approach.
It also noted that Kwankwaso maintained relationships with Christian leaders in Kano and claimed that Boko Haram was effectively pushed out of the state during his tenure as governor.
“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 party said.
