The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the proposed visa bans and asset freezes reportedly recommended by some United States lawmakers against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, over alleged violations of religious freedoms in Nigeria.
The development follows the introduction of a bill titled ‘The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’ in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Chris Smith alongside Reps Riley Moore, Brian Mast and Bill Huizenga.
APC Rejects Proposed Sanctions
Reacting to the move, the APC criticised the proposed measures, arguing that allegations alone should not be sufficient grounds to restrict an individual’s freedom of movement without due process.
Speaking to Punch, the party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described the United States as a symbol of democracy and urged its government to uphold the principles of fair hearing and justice.
According to Ibrahim, any allegations against Kwankwaso or others remain unproven until subjected to proper legal scrutiny. He maintained that imposing restrictions without trial would undermine the individual’s right to fair hearing and due process.
Details Of The US Bill
Meanwhile, the US Congress, through the proposed legislation, issued one of its strongest condemnations yet of alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. Lawmakers behind the bill claimed that Nigeria accounts for a significant percentage of Christians killed globally and warned that the scale and coordination of violence could threaten regional stability and US foreign policy interests.
The bill proposes targeted sanctions against individuals and networks accused of severe violations and calls for the designation of certain groups as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
It also directs the US Secretary of State to determine whether specific Fulani-ethnic militias meet the criteria for designation under Section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act.
Further reactions are expected from political stakeholders and diplomatic channels as discussions around the proposed legislation continue.