Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has been named in a proposed United States congressional bill that recommends sanctions over alleged religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, is sponsored by five U.S. lawmakers, including Riley Moore, Chris Smith, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga. The bill calls for targeted sanctions such as visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Those listed alongside Kwankwaso include Fulani ethnic nomad militias, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. The bill also mandates the U.S. Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani militias qualify for designation as foreign terrorist organisations.
If passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump, the sanctions would be imposed on individuals and entities found culpable of severe religious freedom violations.
The move follows earlier allegations by some U.S. lawmakers that Nigeria had failed to protect Christian communities, claims strongly denied by the Federal Government. Congressman Moore had previously accused Nigeria of Christian genocide, an allegation later echoed in U.S. political circles.
In response, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) defended Kwankwaso, describing the proposed sanctions as “international hypocrisy and blackmail.” The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said the former governor had no links to religious extremism and urged stakeholders to investigate thoroughly before drawing conclusions.
The NNPP questioned why Kwankwaso was singled out and maintained that his record in public office reflected commitment to national unity. The party noted that during his tenure as governor, Kano State confronted insurgency challenges and maintained interfaith engagement.
MACBAN also rejected its inclusion in the proposed sanctions list. Its National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the association as a peaceful body established to protect cattle breeders’ interests, insisting it has never supported criminal activities or engaged in violence.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed that about 200 U.S. troops are expected to arrive in the coming weeks to provide technical training and advisory support to Nigerian forces. Military authorities stressed that the personnel would not participate in combat operations and that Nigerian forces would retain full operational control.
The proposed bill and ongoing security cooperation highlight evolving diplomatic tensions and collaboration between Nigeria and the United States, particularly around issues of religious freedom and counter-terrorism efforts.
