The Kwankwasiyya Movement has strongly rejected claims that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is referenced in a proposed US bill on religious freedom in Nigeria.
In a statement Wednesday night, the movement’s spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, called the allegations “unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with the verifiable public record” of Kwankwaso’s service.
“For over 30 years, Senator Kwankwaso has served Nigeria as Deputy Speaker, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, Senator, and presidential candidate,” the statement said.
The group emphasised that Kwankwaso has never been indicted or credibly accused of religious persecution or extremism. It noted that Sharia-based legal systems in northern states developed through Nigeria’s constitutional and legislative processes, not through any unilateral action by Kwankwaso.
“To single him out while similar arrangements exist across several states raises questions about the evidence and consistency behind such a claim,” the statement added.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement highlighted Kwankwaso’s efforts to counter extremist threats and protect lives across religious divides, including his 2023 presidential ticket with Bishop Isaac Idahosa, as evidence of his commitment to inclusion.
The group urged the US Congress to remove Kwankwaso’s name from the bill, warning that its inclusion could be politically motivated.
The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 is currently under consideration by the US House of Representatives to address concerns about religious freedom in Nigeria.
