The Kwankwasiyya Movement has expressed strong concern over reports that a proposed bill before the United States Congress allegedly mentioned its leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in connection with claims of severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement described the allegations contained in the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457) as unfounded and misleading.
The group insisted that Kwankwaso’s public record over three decades of national service does not support any claim of religious persecution, extremism or human rights violations.
Mohammed noted that Kwankwaso had served in several high-ranking positions, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence, Senator of the Federal Republic and presidential candidate, stressing that he had never been indicted or prosecuted for religious-related offences.
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The movement also defended the adoption of Sharia-based legal systems in parts of northern Nigeria, arguing that it was not exclusive to Kano State nor introduced by a single individual.
It said multiple states adopted similar legal frameworks within Nigeria’s federal constitution, adding that such systems are subject to judicial safeguards and constitutional oversight.
The group further argued that singling out Kwankwaso despite similar legal structures existing in other states raised questions about the “basis, consistency and evidentiary standard” behind the recommendation.
The movement stated that Kwankwaso’s administration in Kano took decisive measures to curb extremist threats and protect lives across religious divides, while also maintaining engagement with Christian leaders and minority communities.
It also cited Kwankwaso’s 2023 presidential ticket, which featured Bishop Isaac Idahosa as his running mate, as evidence of his commitment to religious inclusion.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement urged the US Congress to reject the recommendation and remove Kwankwaso’s name from the proposed bill, alleging that political rivals or individuals seeking personal vendettas may have influenced his inclusion.
It called on the US lawmakers to ensure that any allegation of such magnitude is based on verifiable evidence and due diligence.
