Group Urges U.S. Lawmakers to Drop Kwankwaso from Religious Freedom Sanctions

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has appealed to the U.S. Congress to remove former Kano Governor and presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from a proposed list of alleged religious freedom violators.

In a statement on Thursday, the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, described the allegations against Kwankwaso as “misleading, unfounded, and inconsistent with verifiable public records” of his political and personal conduct.

“The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457) reportedly links our leader to serious violations of religious liberty. This is factually inaccurate,” Sale Mohammed said.

The group stressed that Kwankwaso has never faced indictment or prosecution for religious persecution, extremism, or human rights abuses. They further noted that his introduction of Sharia penal law during his tenure as Kano governor was consistent with similar legal frameworks in other Nigerian states and should not be singled out.

Highlighting Kwankwaso’s commitment to religious inclusion, the movement pointed to his 2023 presidential ticket, which paired him with Christian cleric Bishop Isaac Idahosa, as evidence of his dedication to national balance and interfaith cooperation.

“The inclusion of Senator Kwankwaso’s name appears influenced by political rivals or personal agendas,” the statement added, urging U.S. lawmakers to ensure that decisions of such magnitude are based on verified facts, not generalizations or partisan interests.

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The proposed U.S. legislation also targets members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and other Fulani groups, alongside visa restrictions and potential asset freezes, as part of measures aimed at pressuring Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has called for Kwankwaso’s removal from the bill, insisting that any action must reflect Nigeria’s pluralistic legal system and the country’s longstanding traditions of religious coexistence.