Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has suggested that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) might be orchestrating or influencing a controversial US congressional bill that proposes sanctions against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for alleged severe violations of religious freedom.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Friday, February 13, 2026, El-Rufai described the targeting of Kwankwaso in the proposed legislation as unjust and likely politically driven.
He questioned why Kwankwaso was singled out when several other northern governors had introduced or enforced Sharia law earlier and more aggressively.
The bill, formally known as the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457), was introduced by US Congressman Riley Moore (R-West Virginia) and co-sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith (R-New Jersey) and others.
It seeks to impose targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals and groups accused of contributing to religious persecution, particularly of Christians, in Nigeria.
Among those explicitly named are Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former Kano governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
El-Rufai strongly defended Kwankwaso, arguing that he does not match the profile of a religious extremist. He noted that 12 northern states adopted Sharia law, with Zamfara State pioneering the process under Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima.
“If anyone should be blamed or listed for the Sharia issue, Zamfara should top the list,” he said. “Kwankwaso is not one of the governors you would describe as a fundamentalist.”He then pointed to possible political motives:
“The APC may be behind it because Kwankwaso has refused to move to the APC, and there are rumours that he will move to the ADC.”
El-Rufai added that he could not think of any other group or individual more likely to be responsible, implying the move could be retaliation for Kwankwaso’s continued political independence and refusal to join the ruling party.
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