The Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly opposed a proposal by five United States lawmakers seeking to blacklist its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged “severe religious freedom violations” in Nigeria.
The controversy follows the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457) in the US Congress on Tuesday.
If enacted, the bill would require the US Departments of State and Treasury to impose visa bans and asset freezes on certain individuals and groups, including Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), over alleged involvement in the systemic persecution of Christians.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Kwankwasiyya Movement described the inclusion of the former Kano State governor’s name as “unfounded” and “politically motivated,” calling for its immediate removal from the proposed legislation.
“We state unequivocally that these allegations are consistent with nothing in the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service,” said the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed.
The group specifically addressed remarks attributed to US Representative Riley Moore, one of the bill’s sponsors, who reportedly linked Kwankwaso to religious extremism due to the implementation of Sharia law during his tenure as governor of Kano State.
Defending the 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 or initiated by a single individual.
“The constitutional development of Sharia-based legal systems… 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.”
The group maintained that Kwankwaso—a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, and current Senator—has “never been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations.”
It further stressed that Sharia-based legal systems in Northern Nigeria operate within constitutional limits and remain subject to oversight and appellate review.
“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.”
The movement also cited Kwankwaso’s 2023 presidential ticket with Bishop Isaac Idahosa as evidence of what it described as his commitment to religious inclusion and national balance.
“It is deeply concerning that an opposition political leader with a longstanding national profile would be isolated in a matter of such gravity without transparent and verifiable findings,” Mohammed said.
The group urged the US Congress to reject the recommendation and remove Kwankwaso’s name from the bill, alleging that the development may have been influenced by political opponents.
“Allegations of this magnitude must be grounded in demonstrable facts, not generalized assumptions,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its support, 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 bill was introduced by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. According to details posted on the US Congress website, it alleges that certain individuals, including Kwankwaso, contributed to systemic religious persecution in Nigeria.
What you should know
US lawmakers have introduced a bill that could impose sanctions on individuals accused of religious freedom violations in Nigeria, including Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has rejected the allegations, describing them as politically motivated and lacking evidence.
The proposed legislation remains under consideration in the US Congress.
