There was a groundswell of opinion within the political spectrum on Thursday demanding the removal of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, from a so-called United States sanctions list, with his associates describing his inclusion on the list as politically motivated and unjustifiable.
Kano State Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo; elder statesman, Buba Galadima; Kwankwaso’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, Bishop Isaac Idahosa; and key figures within the Kwankwasiyya movement insisted that he had committed no offence warranting punitive action.
Gwarzo urged the U.S. Congress to remove Kwankwaso from the proposed bill that sought to impose sanctions on him over alleged religious persecution, describing the claims against the former presidential candidate as unfounded and misleading.
The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Riley Moore and Chris Smith, seeks sanctions against Fulani militias and includes Kwankwaso among individuals cited over alleged religious persecution.
In a statement, his spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuaibu, quoted Gwarzo as saying the allegations against Kwankwaso were “unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the verifiable public record of his life and service”.
The Kano State deputy governor stated, “Kwankwaso has held several senior political positions over more than three decades, serving as Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defense, Senator, and, most recently, a presidential candidate.
“At no time has he been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations.”
Gwarzo challenged those behind the allegations to identify the “real perpetrators” rather than defame an “attitude” politician and democrat. He stated that Kwankwaso had consistently opposed violence, extremism, and terrorism.
The statement said Kwankwaso maintained constructive engagement with Christian leaders and minority communities during his time in office and consistently promoted peaceful coexistence.
It also cited his 2023 presidential ticket with Idahosa, a Catholic priest, as evidence of his commitment to religious inclusion and national balance.
The deputy governor called on U.S. lawmakers to “reject this recommendation outright” and remove Kwankwaso’s name from the proposed legislation. He suspected that the inclusion of Kwankwaso in the bill might have been influenced by individuals seeking to settle personal scores or his political rivals.
Kwankwaso “remains a nationalist, a democrat and a statesman whose public service has been anchored on justice, unity and inclusive governance”, the statement added.
Galadima, a chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), also blamed Kwankwaso’s addition to the sanctions list on politics and those thinking the former governor of Kano State had a vice presidential aspiration.
Galadima, who spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show, described the claims as unfair, stressing that Kwankwaso’s integrity as a peaceful Nigerian is being unjustly attacked.
Galadima maintained that Kwankwaso did not establish Sharia law in Kano. He said the law was enacted by Kano State House of Assembly amid public pressure at the time. He added that Kwankwaso was among the last governors in northern Nigeria to implement Sharia.
Galadima stated, “I think that it is most unfair to Kwankwaso. Most unfair to his person and most unfair to his integrity as a peaceful Nigerian. The matter came offshore, that is in the US, and we wonder where did they get that story. Kwankwaso was the victim of Sharia.
“Sharia law was established in Kano, and it was not established by Kwankwaso, it was promulgated by the House of Assembly of Kano under pressure. And people should remember that during the pressure for Sharia, Kwankwaso was reluctant.
‘’He was about the last governor in Nigeria to do a Sharia law. Ibrahim Shekarau used that platform of religion and Sharia, that he was coming to perfect Sharia and Kwankwaso was not doing anything as the governor of Kano.
“So, how can anybody in his right senses accuse Kwankwaso, who was a loser during that Sharia debacle in Nigeria, of promulgating Sharia? How about those that started it
Kwankwasiyya Movement declared that the allegations made against Kwankwaso on claims of “severe religious freedom violations” were totally unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the verifiable public record of his life and service.
The movement said it was deeply concerned that an opposition political leader with a longstanding national profile, who had consistently spoken on issues of governance and security, would be isolated in a matter of such gravity without transparent and verifiable findings.
It rejected the proposed bill before the United States Congress, titled, “The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457),” which referenced the name of Kwankwaso.
A statement by spokesperson of Kwakwansiyya Movement, Habibu Mohammed, stressed that for over 30 years, the senator had served Nigeria at the highest levels, as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, Senator of the Federal Republic, and presidential candidate.
Mohammed said throughout the period, Kwakwanso was never indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations.
The Kwakwansiyya Movement said the constitutional development of Sharia-based legal systems in certain northern Nigerian states was neither unique to Kano State nor the initiative of one individual.
The statement said, “Multiple states adopted similar legal frameworks within the ambit of Nigeria’s federal constitution, legislative processes, and judicial safeguards. These systems remain subject to constitutional oversight and appellate review.
“To single out Senator Kwankwaso while similar constitutional arrangements exist across several states raises serious questions about the basis, consistency, and evidentiary standard behind such a recommendation.”
Archbishop-Designate and Founder/Presiding Bishop of God First Ministries International, also known as Illumination Assembly, Isaac Idahosa, called on the United States Congress to reconsider the proposed visa ban reportedly targeting Kwankwaso.
In a letter on Thursday, addressed to members of the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C., Idahosa expressed concern over what he described as inaccurate information used in recommending Kwankwaso for inclusion in the visa restriction.
Idahosa, who served as Kwankwaso’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, vouched for the former governor’s character, describing him as a committed public servant with a long record of inclusive governance.
“As his former running mate, I attest to Sen. Kwankwaso’s commitment to public service and inclusive governance,” Idahosa stated, adding that Kwankwaso has never been linked to religious extremism, violence, or riots either in public office or private life.
The cleric highlighted Kwankwaso’s political career, stating that he has served in several high-profile roles, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, minister, senator, and presidential candidate.
He also stressed that Kwankwaso had consistently promoted interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, maintaining that he would not have accepted to run alongside him if he held extremist views.
Idahosa further cited the 2003 political events during the Sharia debate under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, stating that Kwankwaso supported Obasanjo, a Christian, over his kinsman, late former President Muhammadu Buhari, a decision, he said, cost Kwankwaso his re-election bid as governor.
According to him, the move demonstrated Kwankwaso’s commitment to national unity above personal political interests.
The cleric also defended Kwankwaso’s stance on national security, describing it as cautious and responsible rather than extremist.
He stated that many Nigerians were surprised by the reported visa ban proposal and urged U.S. lawmakers to conduct a thorough review to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Idahosa condemned individuals, allegedly, behind petitions against the former governor, describing Kwankwaso as “one of Nigeria’s finest liberal politicians”.
He warned that any decision based on inaccurate information could undermine trust in international information channels and efforts to support Nigeria.
He appealed to the USCongress to reconsider the alleged decision in the interest of justice and fairness.
Chuks Okocha, Sunday Ehigiator and Ahmad Sorondinki
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