More Condemnations Trail US Bill Targeting Kwankwaso For Visa Ban

A proposed bill before the United States Congress seeking a visa ban and asset freeze on a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over “severe religious freedom violations” has continued to generate reactions.

Five US lawmakers introduced the bill at the country’s House of Representatives to compel the Secretary of State to submit a “comprehensive report on US efforts to address the ongoing religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria”.

The legislation titled ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’.

According to them, the US should use “all available diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools to pressure the government of Nigeria to end impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and religious persecution and protect Christian communities, clergy, and other targeted religious minorities.”

Allegations politically motivated – Buba Galadima

Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

“I think that is most unfair. Most unfair to Kwankwaso, most unfair to his person and most unfair to his integrity as a peaceful Nigerian. What we see is intrigues of election 2027,” he told ARISE NEWS.

Galadima recalled Kwankwaso’s political history in Kano, saying: “Kwankwaso stood his ground, despite the fact that Obasanjo is a Christian, that whoever wants to vote for him must also vote for Obasanjo. That cost him his re-election as governor of Kano state.”

He added that Kwankwaso was reluctant to implement Sharia law. “He was the last governor in Nigeria to implement Sharia law. How can anybody accuse him?”

Archbishop wants Kwankwaso’s name removed

Archbishop Designate Isaac Idahosa described the bill as a “gross injustice” and urged the US lawmakers to reconsider the visa ban bill that targets the former governor.

Idahosa, Founder/Presiding Bishop of God First Ministries International, said the bill was based on inaccurate information about Kwankwaso’s record.

In a letter to the US Congress, Idahosa said Kwankwaso has never been involved in religious extremism, killings, or riots, and has consistently promoted interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Idahosa, who served as Kwankwaso’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, said he would not have accepted the position if Kwankwaso held extremist views.

The Archbishop noted that Kwankwaso’s views on security were cautious and focused on the welfare of all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.

Idahosa urged the US Congress to review the decision and clear Kwankwaso’s name, saying the majority of Nigerians are shocked by the proposed bill.

Kano deputy gov, Kwankwasiyya movt ask US Congress to reject bill

The Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, also urged the United States Congress to remove Kwankwaso’s name from the proposed sanctions.

Gwarzo, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, said the allegations “are inconsistent with the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service.”

He noted that Kwankwaso has served Nigeria in numerous senior capacities over more than three decades, including as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, Senator, and a recent presidential candidate.

“At no time has he been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations,” the statement said, adding that Kwankwaso has consistently opposed violence, extremism, and terrorism.

The statement highlighted Kwankwaso’s engagement with Christian leaders and minority communities during his tenure in office and cited his 2023 presidential ticket with Bishop Isaac Idahosa 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 bill, warning that the allegations may have been influenced by individuals with political motives or personal grievances.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement also rejected a move by the US lawmakers to blacklist Kwankwaso, over alleged “severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.

“We state unequivocally that these allegations are consistent with nothing in the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service,” said the movement spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed.

The movement specifically addressed claims made by US Rep. Riley Moore, one of the bill’s sponsors, who reportedly linked Kwankwaso to religious extremism due to the implementation of Sharia law during his tenure as governor.

Defending the record, the group argued that Sharia-based legal systems in Northern Nigeria were constitutional developments not unique to Kano.

“The constitutional development of Sharia-based legal systems… was neither unique to Kano State nor the initiative of one individual,” the statement read. “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 movement argued that the development of Sharia-based legal systems in parts of northern Nigeria was carried out within constitutional provisions and was not the initiative of any single individual.

“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. “These systems remain subject to constitutional oversight and appellate review.”

It added that singling out Kwankwaso while similar constitutional arrangements exist in several states “raises serious questions about the basis, consistency, and evidentiary standard behind such a recommendation.”

Defending Kwankwaso’s record, the movement said during his tenure as governor, he took “decisive measures” to curb extremist threats and protect lives and property across religious divides.

It also cited his 2023 presidential ticket with Bishop Isaac Idahosa as evidence of his “enduring belief in religious inclusion and national balance.”

The movement called on the US Congress to “outrightly reject this recommendation and remove Dr Kwankwaso’s name from the proposed bill,” alleging that the development may have been influenced by “individuals on a mission to settle personal scores or political rivals.”(Daily trust)