The New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has strongly criticised a proposed United States bill seeking to impose sanctions — including a visa ban and asset freeze — on its national leader and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The bill, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, also lists the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and groups described as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias” among entities proposed for sanctions.
NNPP: ‘Malicious and Unjust’
Speaking during a televised interview on Friday, the NNPP’s Campaign Secretary, Folashade Aliu, described the proposed legislation as “malicious” and “unjust,” questioning why a single individual would be singled out in a country of over 260 million people in matters relating to religion and terrorism.
“How can anybody in their right senses put up a bill that is as important as talking about religion and terrorism and single out one individual in this country?” she asked.
Aliu maintained that there is no evidence linking Kwankwaso to any extremist group, insisting that if credible proof existed, it should be made public.
“There is no evidence that he is aligned to any such group. If they have seen anything, let them present it,” she said.
She further argued that even if a small fraction of Nigeria’s population occupies leadership positions, it still represents a significant pool of individuals capable of addressing national concerns — making the focus on one person questionable.
“If you cannot do anything but find an individual, that tells you how malicious this whole arrangement is,” she added.
Details of the Proposed U.S. Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday by U.S. lawmakers Chris Smith, Riley Moore (the bill’s author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
The bill seeks to compel the U.S. Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report on efforts to address religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
If passed into law, it would require the Departments of State and Treasury to impose sanctions — including visa restrictions and asset freezes — on individuals or entities found responsible for severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
According to a copy of the bill, the sponsors commended U.S. President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom issues.
They also urged Washington to deploy “all available diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools” to pressure the Nigerian government to end impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and protect vulnerable religious communities.
Kwankwasiyya Movement Rejects Allegations
The Kwankwasiyya Movement also rejected the proposed sanctions, describing the inclusion of Kwankwaso’s name as “unfounded” and “politically motivated.”
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement argued that the allegations are inconsistent with Kwankwaso’s public record.
The group also addressed claims reportedly made by Rep. Riley Moore linking Kwankwaso to religious extremism due to the implementation of Sharia law during his tenure as governor.
Defending the record, the movement noted that the adoption of Sharia-based legal systems in parts of Northern Nigeria was a constitutional development not unique to Kano State or initiated by any single individual.
“To single out Senator Kwankwaso while similar constitutional arrangements exist in several states raises serious questions about the evidentiary standard behind such a recommendation,” the statement said.
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