The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has strongly reacted to reports that the United States Congress is considering a bill titled The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act, 2026 (H.R. 7457), which allegedly names the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for targeted sanctions.
According to the reports, Kwankwaso was listed alongside the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and a Fulani ethnic militia for alleged “severe religious freedom violations,” with proposed penalties including visa bans and asset freezes.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP expressed shock over the development and dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. The party described the move as a “contrived action” against an opposition figure with no links to religious extremism.
Johnson questioned why Kwankwaso was singled out, noting that several northern states, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, and Borno, also implemented Sharia law. He argued that Kano State’s adoption of Sharia under Kwankwaso’s leadership should not automatically translate into accusations of religious persecution.
The NNPP also referenced comments by U.S. Representative Riley Moore, who accused Kwankwaso of complicity in violence against Christians and cited his role in signing Sharia-related laws. In response, the party maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges are complex and not reducible to religious narratives.
The statement further highlighted Kwankwaso’s political record, including his support for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his decision to run in 2023 with a Christian bishop, Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate. The NNPP insisted these actions demonstrate his commitment to national unity and religious tolerance.
The party called on U.S. lawmakers to conduct a thorough and balanced investigation, urging fairness and objectivity in assessing the allegations against Kwankwaso.
