The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has pushed back strongly against proposed legislation in the United States Congress that could lead to sanctions against its national leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged “severe religious freedom violations.”
Earlier this week, five U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill in the House of Representatives directing the Secretary of State to provide a “comprehensive report on US efforts to address the ongoing religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.”
If passed, the measure would require the Departments of State and Treasury to impose penalties including visa restrictions and asset freezes on “individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.
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Among those named in the proposal are Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore; and groups described as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson rejected the claims against Kwankwaso, characterising the move as politically motivated.
“We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria,” Johnson said.
He urged U.S. lawmakers to verify their claims before drawing conclusions, adding: “His record is there in the public domain, either in public office or in private life, and it is advisable for people to investigate such things properly before reaching such conclusions.”
Johnson linked the proposed sanctions to Kwankwaso’s earlier criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over religious persecution. In a post on X, Kwankwaso had warned against “oversimplified characterisations” of Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing the country’s sovereignty and the role of criminal elements.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Riley Moore, has questioned Kwankwaso’s “complicity in the death of Christians,” pointing to the adoption of full Sharia law in Kano State during his tenure as governor.
Responding, Johnson challenged Moore’s position, arguing that Kwankwaso has consistently spoken out about insecurity in Nigeria.
“Is Rep Moore being fair or selective? Isn’t the US in a good relationship with Qatar and Saudi (both Sharia countries)?” he asked.
“Isn’t it strange that it is Kwankwaso, an opposition leader that has spoken out so many times about the insecurity under this administration, that the United States now seems to be turning on?”
Johnson further maintained that during Kwankwaso’s time as governor, Boko Haram was driven out of Kano State and that he maintained strong relationships with Christian leaders.
“These are the facts, which we think should guide the Congress and its leaders, particularly Reps Riley Moore and Chris Smith, to do a thorough investigation on the credibility of our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, so that justice is done to his noble name and cleared of such undue embarrassment,” Johnson said.
