The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwassiya movement have faulted a proposed United States visa restriction and asset freeze targeting their leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, describing it as biased and politically motivated.
The criticism followed the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 in the US Congress, which seeks sanctions against individuals accused of religious freedom violations.
Kwankwassiya spokesman Mansur Kurugu said the group was taken aback by the report. “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,” he said.
Also reacting, NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson dismissed the allegations as baseless. “We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria,” he said.
He questioned why Kwankwaso was singled out, asking, “Is Rep Riley Moore being fair or selective? Why were the other state governors who introduced Sharia in their states not accused as well?”
The party called on US lawmakers 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.”
