The Kwankwasiyya Movement, a group of supporters of Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano state has dismissed as mere allegations, his indictment in the proposed bill by the United States Congress as religious extremist.
The United States Congress, in a proposed bill titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), allegedly references the name of Kwankwaso, in connection with claims of “severe religious freedom violations”.
In a statement by its spokesman, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed in Kano on Thursday, the movement said it the report “with grave concern”.
It therefore described the report as unfounded, and misleading allegations inconsistent with the verifiable public record of Kwankwaso’s life and service.
“The Kwankwasiyya Movement has received with grave concern reports that a proposed Bill before the United States Congress, the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), allegedly references the name of our leader and principal, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in connection with claims of “severe religious freedom violations”.
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” We state unequivocally that these allegations are unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the verifiable public record of Senator Kwankwaso’s life and service.
“For over thirty 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 of the Federal Republic, and Presidential Candidate. Throughout this period, he has never been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations,” the group said in the statement.
The group explained that the constitutional development of Sharia-based legal systems in certain northern Nigerian states was neither unique to Kano State nor the initiative of one individual.
It added that not only Kano, some states also ” adopted similar legal frameworks within the ambit of Nigeria’s federal constitution, legislative processes, and judicial safeguards. These systems remain subject to constitutional oversight and appellate review.”
” To single out Senator Kwankwaso while similar constitutional arrangements exist across several states raises serious questions about the basis, consistency, and evidentiary standard behind such a recommendation.
” International relations are traditionally guided by contextual understanding and respect for constitutional sovereignty.
“The United States maintains diplomatic and strategic relationships with several sovereign nations whose legal systems incorporate Islamic jurisprudence. It would therefore be inconsistent to treat Nigeria’s constitutionally grounded legal pluralism differently without clear and individualized evidence of wrongdoing.
“Senator Kwankwaso’s records stand firmly against violence, extremism, and terrorism. During his tenure as Governor of Kano State, decisive measures were taken to curtail extremist threats and protect lives and property across religious divides. He maintained constructive engagement with Christian leaders and minority communities and consistently promoted peaceful coexistence.
” His 2023 presidential ticket, which paired him with Bishop Isaac Idahosa, reflected his enduring belief in religious inclusion and national balance.
“It is, therefore, deeply concerning that an opposition political leader with a longstanding national profile, who has consistently spoken on issues of governance and security, would be isolated in a matter of such gravity without transparent and verifiable findings,”
The Kwankwasiyya Movement therefore calls on the US Congress to ” outrightly reject this recommendation and remove Dr Kwankwaso’s name from the proposed bill.”
” We believe that the inclusion of Senator Kwankwaso’s name was influenced by certain individuals who are on a mission to settle personal scores with him or by political rivals, or both, and the Congress should not allow its respected chamber to be used for this. Allegations of this magnitude must be grounded in demonstrable facts, not generalized assumptions.
“Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remains a nationalist, a democrat, and a statesman whose public service has been anchored on justice, unity, and inclusive governance.
” We are confident that fairness, due diligence, and objective assessment will ultimately prevail,” the statement concluded.
