Politics
US sanctions bill against me handiwork of political enemies — Kwankwaso
Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has reacted to a proposed bill before the United States Congress seeking sanctions against him over alleged religious freedom violations.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, Kwankwaso described the development as the handiwork of “enemies” within Nigeria.
Very Nigerian had earlier reported that lawmakers in the United States introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill aimed at increasing accountability for alleged human rights and religious freedom abuses in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation reportedly contains provisions for possible sanctions against Fulani militias and Kwankwaso.
Reacting to the development, the former Kano governor denied wrongdoing and linked the allegations to the introduction of Sharia law in Kano State during his administration.
“My name was submitted by our enemies here in this country to the US Congress,” Kwankwaso said.
He explained that when Sharia law spread from Zamfara State in 2000, his administration took time to study the proposal before adopting it in Kano.
“I really wanted to study, and even as a Muslim to understand it,” he stated.
According to him, some individuals at the time accused him of not being enthusiastic enough about the implementation process because he did not personally initiate the legislation.
“Some people were too much in a hurry. They wouldn’t wait, and they believe that I was not keen, and somebody wrote a private bill to the State Assembly,” he said.
Kwankwaso added that after reviewing the bill, his administration found no reason to reject it, noting that it would have automatically become law even without his assent.
“We studied it, and we realized that it was very important. And we have not seen anything there that actually should stop us,” he added.
The former governor argued that it was ironic for him to now face allegations tied to Sharia implementation in Kano more than two decades later.
Follow Us on Google Discover
Four Corps members, soldier, one other burnt to ashes as military truck collides with passenger bus in Adamawa
Kwankwaso may struggle to market Obi in the North — Datti Baba-Ahmed
Benue Gov appoints Eunice Ogbenyi as Acting Head of Service
Accept results in good faith – Obi, NDC tells aspirants who lost primaries
Three former Osun lawmakers resign from APC
Nasarawa Assembly passes 37 bills, adjourns for legislative recess
2027: ‘Make Amaechi your running mate’ – ADC chieftain tells Atiku
BREAKING: Police arrest INEC officer, quiz Wike’s aide Lere Olayinka over voter data leak
Oyo Abductions: We are silent because our children are not in Nigeria — Lawmaker Salami knocks Nigerian government
Bandits storm polytechnic community in Zamfara, abduct seven students
Gov Eno sacks aide for calling on Tinubu to resign
Three lawmakers dump APC for ADC, PRP
‘It is unrealistic to expect Adeboye to lead protest’ – Bamiloye slams critics
Delta Teachers join nationwide protest against insecurity, demand release of abducted colleagues
Davido to perform at FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown concert
BREAKING: Police arrest INEC officer, quiz Wike’s aide Lere Olayinka over voter data leak
Gov Eno sacks aide for calling on Tinubu to resign
BREAKING: Gunmen abduct Adelabu’s brother’s wife, twin children in daylight attack in Oyo
BREAKING: Eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign – Adeboye to service chiefs
JUST-IN: ADA drags INEC to court, seeks deregistration of NDC over alleged illegal registration
BREAKING: Tension as gunmen storm Immigration office in Ogbomoso, disarm officers
I endorse Obi, but I still support Tinubu – NDC chieftain Omo-Agege
Bandits can be tracked if security agencies are willing – Buratai
Three lawmakers dump APC for ADC, PRP
Oyo Abductions: We are silent because our children are not in Nigeria — Lawmaker Salami knocks Nigerian government
BREAKING: Wike’s ally Chinda dumps PDP after clinching APC guber ticket
BREAKING: Court sentences 4 Al-Shabaab members to death by hanging over Owo church attack
‘They will not escape this’ – Emeka Ike storms INEC office over NDC primary election
I didn’t join APC because of deep seaport — Gov. Eno
