Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam-Gwarzo has called on the United States Congress to remove Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State in northern Nigeria, from a proposed bill that would impose sanctions over alleged religious persecution.
The proposed legislation is titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. It is reportedly sponsored by United States Representatives Riley Moore and Chris Smith, members of the United States House of Representatives. The bill is said to seek sanctions against Fulani militias and to include Kwankwaso among individuals cited over alleged religious persecution.
In a statement issued on Thursday, February 12, 2026, by his press secretary, Ibrahim Shuaibu, Gwarzo said the allegation against the former presidential candidate did not match his record and should not be used to justify international penalties. He said Kwankwaso has held several senior political roles over more than three decades, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, two-term Governor of Kano State, Minister of Defence in Nigeria’s federal cabinet, and Senator.
Gwarzo argued that Kwankwaso should not be grouped with perpetrators of violence, saying, “At no time has he been indicted, prosecuted, or credibly accused of religious persecution, extremism, or human rights violations,” and urged lawmakers in Washington to delete his name from the proposal.
The deputy governor also said Kwankwaso engaged Christian leaders and minority communities while in office and promoted peaceful coexistence. He cited Kwankwaso’s 2023 presidential ticket with Bishop Isaac Idahosa, described as a Catholic cleric, as an example of religious inclusion.
Gwarzo asked United States lawmakers to remove the former governor from the proposed legislation and suggested the decision to include him may have been pushed by people pursuing personal grievances or political rivalry.