Kano Lawmakers Rally Support for Kwankwaso Amid U.S. Congressional Proposal
The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a motion urging the state government to intervene diplomatically over a proposed United States congressional bill that reportedly mentions former Kano governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for possible sanctions.
The motion, moved during plenary by the member representing Kiru Constituency, Usman Tasiu, called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to explore appropriate diplomatic and bilateral channels to address what lawmakers described as an unfavourable portrayal of Kwankwaso in the proposed legislation.
The bill before the U.S. Congress, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act 2026 (HR 7457), reportedly lists Kwankwaso among individuals who could face measures such as visa restrictions and asset freezes over alleged religious freedom violations.
Presiding over the session, Speaker Jibril Ismail Falgore announced the unanimous adoption of the motion after deliberations by members.
While presenting the motion, Tasiu described Kwankwaso as a public servant whose leadership had significantly contributed to peace-building, educational development and infrastructure growth in Kano State.
He maintained that the former governor had consistently projected himself as a unifying figure and opposed violence and extremism.
The House subsequently urged the Kano State Government to take necessary steps to counter what it termed a wrong impression created by the proposed U.S. bill.
Meanwhile, the Kwankwasiyya Movement rejected the allegations contained in the draft legislation, describing them as misleading and inconsistent with Kwankwaso’s public record.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement said it was concerned by reports linking its leader to claims of severe religious freedom violations.
The group insisted that Kwankwaso’s decades-long political career which includes serving as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence and Senator reflects a commitment to national unity and opposition to violence.
The proposed bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress by lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith.
As of press time, there had been no official response from the United States authorities regarding the position taken by the Kano Assembly or the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
