The Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly rejected reports that a proposed United States Congress bill, the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), references its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in connection with alleged “severe religious freedom violations.”
In a statement on Wednesday night, spokesperson Habibu Sale Mohammed described the allegations as “unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the verifiable public record” of Senator Kwankwaso’s decades of public service.
“For over 30 years, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has served Nigeria at the highest levels as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, Senator, and presidential candidate,” the statement said.
“Throughout this period, he has never been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations.”
The Kwankwasiyya Movement emphasised that Sharia-based legal systems in northern Nigerian states, including Kano State, were implemented within the federal constitution, legislative frameworks, and judicial safeguards, and were not unique to Kwankwaso’s tenure.
The statement questioned why the senator was singled out while similar frameworks exist in multiple states.
“International relations are guided by contextual understanding and respect for constitutional sovereignty,” the statement added.
“It would be inconsistent to treat Nigeria’s constitutionally grounded legal pluralism differently without clear, individualised evidence of wrongdoing.”
Kwankwasiyya highlighted Senator Kwankwaso’s efforts to curtail extremist threats, promote peaceful coexistence across religious divides, and engage minority communities.
His 2023 presidential ticket, which paired him with Bishop Isaac Idahosa, was cited as evidence of his commitment to religious inclusion and national unity.
The Movement called on the US Congress to reject the recommendation linking Kwankwaso to alleged violations, warning that the inclusion of his name may have been influenced by political rivals or individuals seeking personal vendettas.
“Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remains a nationalist, a democrat, and a statesman whose public service has been anchored on justice, unity, and inclusive governance,” the statement concluded.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party also expressed shock over the proposed US bill, which recommended targeted sanctions against its National Leader.
