₦airaland Forum

The All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have rejected the proposed visa bans and asset freezes recommended by United States lawmakers against ex-Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore over alleged violations of religious freedoms in Nigeria.

The bill, titled, ‘The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,’ was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep Chris Smith alongside Reps Riley Moore, Brian Mast and Bill Huizenga.

The bill recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of involvement in religious freedom abuses.

The APC criticised the proposed sanctions, insisting that the allegations alone could not justify curtailing Kwankwaso’s freedom of movement without a fair hearing and due process.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the United States as a symbol of democracy and cautioned its government against taking action solely based on allegations.

He stated, “I think they (the United States of America) cannot just act on allegations. America is the beacon of democracy. America is the beacon of freedom, and it ought to be seen to be behaving in that manner.

“Now, whatever the allegation against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and others is, it remains an allegation until it is proven.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the United States as a symbol of democracy and cautioned its government against taking action solely based on allegations.

He stated, “I think they (the United States of America) cannot just act on allegations. America is the beacon of democracy. America is the beacon of freedom, and it ought to be seen to be behaving in that manner.

“Now, whatever the allegation against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and others is, it remains an allegation until it is proven.

“They cannot, on the strength of an allegation alone, go ahead to suggest a ban or restriction on the freedom of movement of an individual without substantiating it, without subjecting him to a fair hearing and trial.

“So I think that is a wrong move. It infringes on his right to a fair hearing, and I don’t support that.”

The NNPP, on the other hand, described the planned censure of its national leader as blackmail.

At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the opposition party expressed shock over the inclusion of Kwankwaso in the proposed sanctions list, while dismissing any suggestions that he was responsible for religious freedoms violations.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ladipo Johnson, stated, “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 such things properly, before reaching such conclusions.”

Johnson noted that months before the latest development, Kwankwaso had reacted to the decision by US President Donald Trump to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians.

He said, “The months before the latest development, Kwankwaso had openly reacted when President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious persecution.

“In a statement posted on his X handle at the time, Kwankwaso cautioned against what he described as oversimplified characterisations of Nigeria’s internal challenges.

“Kwankwaso stated that it was important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country.”

However, in a post shared on X, US lawmaker Riley Moore had written to Kwankwaso saying, “Governor, do you care to comment on your own complicity in the death of Christians? You instituted Sharia law. You signed the law that makes so-called blasphemy punishable by death.”

Kano State, under Kwankwaso’s leadership, implemented the Islamic legal code, joining other northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa and Borno.

Questioning the allegation, the NNPP asked, “But is this enough to accuse Kwankwaso of severe religious freedoms violations? Why were the other state governors who introduced Sharia in their states not accused as well? Is Rep Moore being fair or selective?

‘Isn’t the US in a good relationship with Qatar and Saudi Arabia (both Sharia countries)? Why is this coming just after our government apparently paid for a consultant in the US? Isn’t it strange that it is Kwankwaso, an opposition leader who has spoken out so many times about the insecurity under this administration, that the United States now seems to be turning on?”

The party also defended Kwankwaso’s record as governor, stating, “We recall that as Governor of Kano State, Senator Kwankwaso ensured that the Boko Haram sect was wiped out of the state, and his close relationships with Christian leaders in Kano and across the country attest to his credibility as a national leader and statesman.

“Even when he was pressured to introduce Sharia, he still lost his election because the predominantly Muslim voters punished him for supporting a Christian presidential candidate in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Furthermore, in 2023, he ran his presidential campaign with a Christian Bishop, Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate.

“These are the facts, which we think, should guide the Congress and its leaders, particularly Reps Riley Moore and Chris Smith, to do a thorough investigation on the credibility of our leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, so that Justice is done to his noble name and cleared of such undue embarrassment,” Johnson added.

The US Congress, in the bill, issued one of its strongest condemnations yet of religious persecution in the country, declaring that Nigeria accounts for 82 per cent of all Christians martyred globally and warning that the scale, coordination and impunity surrounding the violence now threaten regional stability and US foreign policy interests.

The bill calls for targeted sanctions on individuals and networks responsible for severe violations, and urges their designation as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.

The legislation specifically directs the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organisations under section 219 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.

If such a designation is made, it would carry far-reaching consequences, including criminalising material support, expanding US law enforcement reach, and intensifying international pressure on any state or entity found to be aiding the groups.

The All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have rejected the proposed visa bans and asset freezes recommended by United States lawmakers against ex-Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore over alleged violations of religious freedoms in Nigeria.

The bill, titled, ‘The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,’ was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep Chris Smith alongside Reps Riley Moore, Brian Mast and Bill Huizenga.

The bill recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of involvement in religious freedom abuses.

The APC criticised the proposed sanctions, insisting that the allegations alone could not justify curtailing Kwankwaso’s freedom of movement without a fair hearing and due process.

The bill calls for targeted sanctions on individuals and networks responsible for severe violations, and urges their designation as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.

The legislation specifically directs the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as Foreign Terrorist Organisations under section 219 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.

If such a designation is made, it would carry far-reaching consequences, including criminalising material support, expanding US law enforcement reach, and intensifying international pressure on any state or entity found to be aiding the groups.

Part of the bill read, “Appropriations Act, 2026, to enhance efforts, protect innocent lives; the United States should deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Government of Nigeria, through trusted faith-based and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria’s middle belt states;

“The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, on individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations, including Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria; Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor; Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and (D) Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

“The Secretary of State should determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria qualify as a foreign terrorist organisation under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189).”

The lawmakers, citing multiple sources, including the Open Doors 2024 World Watch List, stated that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were martyred between 2009 and 2025, with more than 19,000 Christians, churches, and Christian-owned facilities attacked or destroyed in that period.

“Systemic religious persecution has persisted in Nigeria since at least 2009,” the lawmakers wrote, listing Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani-ethnic militant groups as key perpetrators.

The attacks, they said, include mass murder, kidnappings, rape, village destruction, and the forced displacement of entire communities.

From Benue and Plateau states in the Middle Belt to parts of the North-East and North-West, violence has become cyclical and brutal, the proposed bill further noted.

Between May 2023 and May 2025, the US lawmakers said the Fulani-ethnic militias alone carried out major massacres in Umogidi, Mgban, Yelwata, and during the Christmas Eve attacks of 2023 and 2024, as well as the Holy Week and Easter assaults of 2024 and 2025.

According to the bill, those incidents killed more than 9,500 people, mostly Christians and displaced over half a million others.

“These militias have conducted targeted killings, hostage-taking, hijackings, armed assaults, and massacres of civilians. Their actions meet the statutory definition of terrorist activity,” the legislation states.

Beyond armed attacks, the US lawmakers criticised Nigeria’s continued enforcement of blasphemy laws carrying the death penalty in 12 northern states under Sharia criminal codes.

They said these laws have been used to target Christians, minority Muslims, and dissenters.

The bill references cases such as Rhoda Jatau and Deborah Yakubu, who suffered mob violence, imprisonment, or death over alleged blasphemy, while known perpetrators often face no punishment.

AMINDA:
Agbadorians are bragging on Nairaland that it was Tinubu that supplied Kwankwaso's name to America while APC are pretending to be backing him online. We know as e dey go. Playing both sides, eh? Slithering snakes!

AMINDA:
Agbadorians are bragging on Nairaland that it was Tinubu that supplied Kwankwaso's name to America while APC are pretending to be backing him online. We know as e dey go. Playing both sides, eh? Slithering snakes!

AMINDA:
Agbadorians are bragging on Nairaland that it was Tinubu that supplied Kwankwaso's name to America while APC are pretending to be backing him online. We know as e dey go. Playing both sides, eh? Slithering snakes!

damble:
Whoever that has been following past events would know kwakwaso has been an ambassador/advocate for both Hausa/Fulani. Wherever there's communal crisis, you would find him there to defend his tribal men. There's a kind of fear he usually put on host communities

The same stand Adeyinka Grandson gave on the death of Fasoranti's daughter is where Tinubu, the leader of the Yoruba Conservatives stands. Please see Tinubu's video below. pic.twitter.com/COhiSvabqW

— Adeyinka Grandson (@deyinkagrandson) July 14, 2019

IkeOnyia:
The sanction on Rabiu Kwankwaso is very correct. He has been the self appointed spokesman of fulani herdsmen threatening states who dared to ban open grazing and unfettered access of foreign herders.

Hopefully the US Congress will also include Sheikh Gumi and Sheikh Jingir on the the next sanctions list as they have both supported the persecution of Nigerian Christians.

Highways:
Where Are The Cows? Is Evans A Herdsman?'


When Funke Olakurin, daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti was murdered instead of Bola Tinubu to make sure that the perpetrators were brought to book, he ended up making fun of the death of the young lady by turning everything into tribalism by showing his hates for Igbos.


Tinubu has never spoken against the deadly activities of Fulani herdsmen across the country

The same stand Adeyinka Grandson gave on the death of Fasoranti's daughter is where Tinubu, the leader of the Yoruba Conservatives stands. Please see Tinubu's video below. pic.twitter.com/COhiSvabqW

— Adeyinka Grandson (@deyinkagrandson) July 14, 2019

Mrs Olakunrin died of gunshot wounds in July 2019 after her vehicle was attacked by armed men, suspected to be marauding Fulani bandits whose violent activities had reached a frightening level across the southwest states.


Those arrested suspects include Lawal Mazaje, 40, from Felele area of Kogi State; Adamu Adamu, 50, from Jada area of Adamawa State; Mohammed Usman, 26, from Illela area of Sokoto State and Auwal Abubakar, 25, from Shinkafi area of Zamfara State....

However, the leader of the team, identified only as Tambaya, and three others are yet to be found.

Tambaya has been declared wanted by the police and he is said to be capable of communicating in Hausa, Fulfude and Pidgin English.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/388382-afenifere-police-speak-on-arrest-of-alleged-killers-of-fasorantis-daughter.html

sweerychick:
if you really know who those people are, even Satan sef dey shout blood of Jesus

JAMO84:
How do they come to the conclusion that Kwankwaso is a terrorist? I guess they would hang it on his introduction of sharia law in Kano state.

Mike Riley is using his position in the Congress to lead a modern day crusade against Muslims in developing countries. As his ancestors failed to destroy Islam, so shall he.

Anyone who wants to help us fight terrorism should assist with intelligence and sophisticated weapons. Attacking Islam and Muslims is a wrong way to fight terrorism.

Tunaji:
During nysc in 2009/10, the members of staff of the local govt I worked in Niger State were fond of hailing a certain Dr Rabiu from Kano State, who used to work with them. They said he's a good man. Something told me it was Dr Rabiu Kwankwanso, the Minister of Defence they were referring to.

Truth to form, in 2022 leading to the 2023 elections, I miraculously found the Kwankwansiya cap in my office. I knew it was an invitation to his party.

Addendum: Chris Smith is a name immitator, while Riley Moore is an impersonator. The US House of Reps are on their own.

AMINDA:
Agbadorians are bragging on Nairaland that it was Tinubu that supplied Kwankwaso's name to America while APC are pretending to be backing him online. We know as e dey go. Playing both sides, eh? Slithering snakes!

Eleph:
I doubt the intelligence the United States is depending on. Same United States have been speaking from both sides of its mouth in recent times without real action or consequences hence the rise in insurgency.

Hankim:
They actually want to end this man political career
Is the governor not enough for Agbadorians

JAMO84:
How do they come to the conclusion that Kwankwaso is a terrorist? I guess they would hang it on his introduction of sharia law in Kano state.

Mike Riley is using his position in the Congress to lead a modern day crusade against Muslims in developing countries. As his ancestors failed to destroy Islam, so shall he.

Anyone who wants to help us fight terrorism should assist with intelligence and sophisticated weapons. Attacking Islam and Muslims is a wrong way to fight terrorism.

JAMO84:
How do they come to the conclusion that Kwankwaso is a terrorist? I guess they would hang it on his introduction of sharia law in Kano state.

Mike Riley is using his position in the Congress to lead a modern day crusade against Muslims in developing countries. As his ancestors failed to destroy Islam, so shall he.

Anyone who wants to help us fight terrorism should assist with intelligence and sophisticated weapons. Attacking Islam and Muslims is a wrong way to fight terrorism.