The All Progressives Congress and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have rejected the proposed visa bans and asset freezes recommended by United States lawmakers against ex-Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore over alleged violations of religious freedoms in Nigeria.
The bill, titled ‘The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,’ was introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep Chris Smith alongside Reps Riley Moore, Brian Mast, and Bill Huizenga.
The bill recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of involvement in religious freedom abuses.
The APC criticised the proposed sanctions, insisting that the allegations alone could not justify curtailing Kwankwaso’s freedom of movement without a fair hearing and due process.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the United States as a symbol of democracy and cautioned its government against taking action solely based on allegations.
He stated, “I think they (the United States of America) cannot just act on allegations. America is the beacon of democracy. America is the beacon of freedom, and it ought to be seen to be behaving in that manner.
“Now, whatever the allegation against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and others is, it remains an allegation until it is proven.
“They cannot, on the strength of an allegation alone, go ahead to suggest a ban or restriction on the freedom of movement of an individual without substantiating it, without subjecting him to a fair hearing and trial.
“So I think that is a wrong move. It infringes on his right to a fair hearing, and I don’t support that.”
The NNPP, on the other hand, described the planned censure of its national leader as blackmail.
At a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the opposition party expressed shock at the inclusion of Kwankwaso on the proposed sanctions list, while dismissing any suggestion that he was responsible for violations of religious freedoms.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ladipo Johnson, stated, “We see this development as a contrived action against an innocent man who clearly has no relationship with religious fundamentalism in Nigeria.
“His record is there in the public domain, either in public office or in private life, and people should investigate such things properly, before reaching such conclusions.”
Johnson noted that months before the latest development, Kwankwaso had reacted to the decision by US President Donald Trump to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians.
