Kwankwaso Rejects Proposed US Sanctions Over Sharia Law, Blames Political Enemies

Kwankwaso Rejects Proposed US Sanctions Over Sharia Law, Blames Political Enemies

Former Kano State Governor and prominent National Democratic Coalition (NDC) figure, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has rejected moves in the United States Congress seeking sanctions against him over alleged religious freedom violations linked to the implementation of Sharia law in Kano State.

Kwankwaso, who recently aligned with the emerging National Democratic Coalition (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, described the allegations as a politically motivated campaign designed to tarnish his international reputation at a critical moment in Nigeria’s evolving opposition politics.

The former Minister of Defence spoke during an interview on ARISE Television’s “Prime Time” programme, where he claimed that enemies within Nigeria were responsible for pushing his name before American lawmakers.

“My name was submitted by our enemies here in this country to the US Congress,” Kwankwaso stated while reacting to reports surrounding the proposed sanctions.

The controversy comes amid growing speculation over Kwankwaso’s role within the opposition coalition and reports that he is being considered as a possible running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, under the NDC platform ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

At the centre of the controversy is the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, a bill currently before the US Congress seeking sanctions against individuals and organisations accused of involvement in serious violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

If passed into law, the legislation could empower the US government to impose visa bans, freeze assets, and apply other diplomatic sanctions against persons named in the bill.

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Among those reportedly listed are Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and groups identified by US lawmakers as Fulani ethnic militias.

American lawmakers backing the bill cited increasing concerns over sectarian violence, attacks on worship centres, alleged religious persecution, and the inability of Nigerian authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.

Responding to the allegations, Kwankwaso defended the implementation of Sharia law in Kano State, insisting that the decision reflected the democratic wishes of the people at the time.

He explained that after Zamfara State introduced full Sharia law in 1999, pressure mounted across northern Nigeria for other governors to adopt similar reforms.

According to Kwankwaso, clerics, community leaders, lawmakers, and large sections of the Kano population strongly demanded the implementation of the legal system.

The former governor said he initially attempted to carefully study the implications of the policy before signing the bill into law, but public pressure became overwhelming.

Kwankwaso further argued that even if he had withheld assent, the Kano State House of Assembly possessed constitutional powers that could still have allowed the legislation to become law.

He expressed surprise that a political and constitutional decision taken more than two decades ago is now being interpreted internationally as evidence of extremism.

Kwankwaso also alleged that many of the same political actors who once accused him of delaying the implementation of Sharia law are now allegedly portraying him negatively before foreign authorities.

Political observers believe the controversy may further complicate ongoing coalition discussions within the opposition camp as major political figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

The proposed US legislation remains under congressional review and has not yet become law. However, analysts say the development signals increasing international scrutiny over issues relating to human rights in Nigeria, religious freedom, and sectarian violence.

Kwankwaso Rejects Proposed US Sanctions Over Sharia Law, Blames Political Enemies