Kwankwasiyya Movement Demands Removal of Kwankwaso’s Name from Proposed US Bill

  The Kwankwasiyya Movement has rejected a move by five United States lawmakers to blacklist its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over ...

 

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has rejected a move by five United States lawmakers to blacklist its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged “severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.

The development follows the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457) in the US Congress on Tuesday.

If passed, the bill would require 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 of Nigeria (MACBAN) over their alleged roles in the systemic persecution of Christians.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the movement described the inclusion of the former Kano State governor’s name as “unfounded” and “politically motivated,” demanding its immediate removal from the proposed legislation.

“We state unequivocally that these allegations are inconsistent with the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service,” said the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed.

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

Defending his record, the movement argued that the adoption of Sharia-based legal systems in parts of Northern Nigeria was a constitutional development 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. “To single out Senator Kwankwaso while similar constitutional arrangements exist in several states raises serious questions about the evidentiary standard behind such a recommendation.”

Kwankwaso, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, former Minister of Defence, and Senator, has “never been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations,” the group added.

It maintained that Sharia-based legal systems in parts of northern Nigeria operate within constitutional provisions and remain subject to oversight and appellate review.

The movement further argued that Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the United States and other countries with diverse legal systems underscore the need for contextual understanding in 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 tenure as governor, the group said 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 “commitment to religious inclusion and national balance.”

“It is deeply concerning that an opposition political leader with a longstanding national profile would be singled out in a matter of such gravity without transparent and verifiable findings,” Mohammed stated.

The movement called on the US Congress to “reject this recommendation and remove Dr Kwankwaso’s name from the proposed bill,” alleging that the move may have been influenced by political interests.

“Allegations of this magnitude must be grounded in demonstrable facts, not generalized assumptions,” the statement said.

Reaffirming its support for the former governor, the Kwankwasiyya Movement described Kwankwaso as “a nationalist, a democrat, and a statesman whose public service has been anchored on justice, unity, and inclusive governance.”

The group expressed confidence that “fairness, due diligence, and objective assessment will ultimately prevail.”

The bill was introduced by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.

Details posted on the US Congress website allege that Kwankwaso is among individuals contributing to the systemic religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria.