By Ayomide Otitoju
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has formally rejected moves by five United States lawmakers seeking to blacklist its leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The proposal followed the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457) before the United States Congress on Tuesday. If passed, the bill would mandate the US Departments of State and Treasury to impose visa bans and asset freezes on Kwankwaso and groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) over their alleged roles in the systemic persecution of Christians.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement described the inclusion of the former Kano State governor’s name in the proposed legislation as “unfounded” and “politically motivated,” calling for its immediate removal.
“We state unequivocally that these allegations are consistent with nothing in the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service,” the statement read.
The group specifically addressed comments attributed to US Representative Riley Moore, one of the bill’s sponsors, who reportedly linked Kwankwaso to religious extremism over the implementation of Sharia law during his tenure as governor. The movement argued that Sharia-based legal systems in parts of northern Nigeria were constitutional developments and not unique to Kano State.
“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, noting that such systems remain subject to constitutional oversight and appellate review.
Kwankwaso, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence and Senator, has “never been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations,” the group added.
The movement further contended that singling him out while similar constitutional arrangements exist in several states raised questions about the evidentiary basis and consistency of the recommendation.
It also referenced Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the United States and other nations with diverse legal systems, arguing that constitutional sovereignty and contextual understanding should guide international engagement.
“The United States maintains diplomatic and strategic relationships with several sovereign nations whose legal systems incorporate Islamic jurisprudence,” the statement noted. “It would therefore be inconsistent to treat Nigeria’s constitutionally grounded legal pluralism differently without clear and individualized evidence of wrongdoing.”
Defending Kwankwaso’s record, the group said he took decisive steps during his tenure as governor 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 commitment to religious inclusion and national balance.
Describing the move as concerning, the movement urged the US Congress to reject the recommendation and remove Kwankwaso’s name from the bill, alleging that it may have been influenced by political rivals.
“Allegations of this magnitude must be grounded in demonstrable facts, not generalized assumptions,” the statement said.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga.
Details published on the US Congress website alleged that Kwankwaso was among individuals contributing to systemic religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
