The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has rejected plans by the United States Congress to impose sanctions on its national leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, describing the recommendation as unjustified and politically driven.
According to the party, the suggested punitive measures, which reportedly include visa restrictions and asset freezes, are baseless and fail to reflect Kwankwaso’s public record.
NNPP insisted that linking the former Kano State governor to allegations of religious intolerance or extremism is both misleading and damaging, considering his contribution towards religious tolerance in the country.
Moreover, the NNPP argued that the bill, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), unfairly singles out individuals without what it termed “credible and verifiable evidence.”
The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed the allegations and defended the party’s leader yesterday while addressing pressmen.
“We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria,” Johnson added.
He maintained that Kwankwaso’s political and personal history does not support claims of complicity in religious violence.
Furthermore, the party described the proposal as a case of “selective judgment” and “international double standards,” suggesting that opposition figures in Nigeria may be vulnerable to mischaracterisation in foreign policy debates.
Johnson added that Kwankwaso has consistently spoken against insecurity and urged a balanced understanding of Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
The NNPP, therefore, called on U.S. lawmakers to undertake comprehensive and impartial investigations before advancing any measure that could affect diplomatic relations and individual reputations.
“Policy decisions of this magnitude must be guided by facts, not assumptions,” Johnson said, reaffirming the party’s unwavering support for its national leader.
The Guild reports that the proposed US bill seeks broader scrutiny of religious violence in Nigeria and recommends sanctions against certain persons and groups allegedly connected to persecution, particularly against Christian communities.
Kwankwaso was listed alongside organisations such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and suspected Fulani militias.
