Worry over America's particular concern on Kwankwaso

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya movement have expressed concern of the United States of America listing of its party leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso as one of people in Nigeria being viewed as promoting religious prosecutions in the country.

Kwankwaso was listed, prominently, among people and groups in Nigeria that the US House of Representatives have placed on the country's proposed visa ban.

The United States lawmakers had introduced a bill aimed at addressing alleged religious persecution and mass killings of Christians in Nigeria, including a proposed terrorist designation for Fulani militias and sanctions against certain Nigerian individuals and groups, including Kwankwaso.

The Kwankwasiyya movement and NNPP have however put up a stout defence for their leader, Kwankwaso, who is said to be presently out of Nigeria.

Titled “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026” (HR 7457), the bill was introduced by Rep. Riley Moore and co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Africa, alongside other Republican lawmakers.

In November 2025, President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, a move that allows the US executive branch to apply diplomatic and economic measures.

Trump also authorised coordinated strikes with the Nigerian government against suspected militants on Christmas Day 2025.

Among those listed are Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party, NNPP; Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN; Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore; and Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.

The Departments of State and Treasury will be required to impose sanctions or report to Congress why such measures have not been taken.

We’re shocked, 'll respond at appropriate time — Kwankwassiya movement

Reacting to the proposed visa ban on Kwankwaso, spokesperson of the Kwankwassiya movement, Mansur Kurugu, said they received it in shock.

He said further that they were studying the proposed visa ban and will respond to it at the appropriate time.

“We received the information just like any other Nigerians with shock. At the moment, we are studying what that means, then at a later time, we shall issue a proper statement regarding that.’’

Kwankwaso caught in web of int’l hypocrisy, blackmail — NNPP

Also reacting to the visa ban proposal by the US Congress, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, expressed shock over the proposed sanctions targeted at its National Leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Fulani Ethnic Militia. The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed any notion that Senator Kwankwaso had been responsible in any way for religious freedom violations.

The party said it is curious and regrettable that Kwankwaso would be cited for what he knew nothing about.

Johnson said: “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 such things properly, before reaching such conclusions.

“That months before the latest development, Kwankwaso had openly reacted when President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution.

‘’In a statement posted on his X handle at the time, Senator Kwankwaso cautioned against what he described as oversimplified characterisations of Nigeria’s internal challenges.

“Kwankwaso stated that it is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country.

However in a post shared on X , Rep Moore of the US Congress stated to Kwankwaso that, ‘Governor do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians?

‘You instituted Sharia law. You signed the law that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death.” This was because Kano State, under Kwankwaso’s leadership, brought the Islamic legal code into full effect, joining other northern Nigerian states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, and Borno.

“But is this enough to accuse Kwankwaso of severe religious freedom violations? Why were the other state governors who introduced Sharia in their states not accused as well?

“Is Rep Moore being fair or selective? Isn’t the US in a good relationship with Qatar and Saudi (both Sharia countries)? Why is this coming just after our government apparently paid for a consultant in the US?

“Isn’t it strange that it is Kwankwaso, an opposition leader who has spoken out so many times about the insecurity under this administration, that the United States now seems to be turning on?

“We recall that as governor of Kano State, Senator Kwankwaso ensured that the Boko Haram sect was wiped out of the state and his close relationships with Christian leaders in Kano and across the country attest to his credibility as a national leader and statesman.

“Even when he was pressured to introduce Sharia, he still lost his election because the predominantly Muslim voters punished him for supporting a Christian presidential candidate, in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Furthermore, in 2023 he ran his presidential campaign with a Christian Bishop, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate.

“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.”