The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwassiya movement have strongly rejected a proposed US visa ban on Kwankwaso.
The controversy followed the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the US Congress.
The bill reportedly recommends sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and others over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.
However, the NNPP insists that the allegations lack merit. The party argued that its national leader has no ties to religious extremism or intolerance.
Spokesman of the Kwankwassiya movement, Mansur Kurugu, said the group was surprised by the development.
“We received the information just like any other Nigerians with shock. At the moment, we are studying what that means and at a later time we shall issue a proper statement,” Kurugu said.
Meanwhile, the NNPP described the proposed US visa ban on Kwankwaso as “contrived.” The party said the action appears designed to damage his political image.
National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, questioned the logic behind the recommendation.
“We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria.
His record is there in the public domain, either in public office or in private life, and it is advisable for people to investigate properly before reaching such conclusions,” Johnson said.
Furthermore, the party challenged claims linking Kwankwaso to Sharia and blasphemy laws in Kano State. It argued that other governors who introduced Sharia were not singled out.
“Is Rep Riley Moore being fair or selective? Why were the other state governors who introduced Sharia in their states not accused as well? Isn’t it strange that it is Kwankwaso, an opposition leader who has consistently spoken out about insecurity, that the United States now appears to be turning on?” Johnson asked.
The NNPP also pointed to Kwankwaso’s political history. It noted that he ran with a Christian cleric, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, in the 2023 presidential election. In addition, the party said he maintained cordial ties with Christian leaders during his tenure as governor.
“These are facts which should guide the Congress and its leaders to conduct a thorough investigation so that justice is done to the noble name of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and he is cleared of such undue embarrassment,” the party said.
The proposed legislation was sponsored by Representative Riley Moore and others. It seeks to address alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. Moreover, it recommends visa bans, asset freezes and possible terrorist designations for certain groups.
