KANO, NIGERIA — The Kano State House of Assembly has officially called on the state government to launch a diplomatic offensive to protect Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from a controversial piece of legislation currently moving through the United States Congress.
During a high-stakes plenary session on Tuesday, February 24, lawmakers unanimously passed a motion of urgent public importance. The resolution urges Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to leverage bilateral channels to “quash” the inclusion of the Kwankwasiyya leader in a U.S. bill that threatens high-ranking Nigerian figures with severe penalties, including visa bans and asset freezes.
A Legislative Shield
The motion was spearheaded by Hon. Usman Tasiu, the member representing Kiru Constituency. In an impassioned address, Tasiu defended the former governor’s legacy, describing Kwankwaso as a “dedicated public servant” whose impact on Kano’s infrastructure and human capital remains unparalleled.
“Senator Kwankwaso has spent his career promoting peace and driving development that cuts across religious and ethnic lines,” Tasiu stated. He argued that the allegations underpinning the U.S. bill are inconsistent with Kwankwaso’s documented record of fostering inclusivity for both the Christian and Muslim communities in the state.
Speaker Jibril Ismail Falgore, who presided over the session, echoed these sentiments, overseeing the swift passage of the motion as the House sought to project a united front against what many in Kano see as an external threat to a local political icon.
The Washington Connection
The tension stems from the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act, a bill recently introduced by U.S. lawmakers. The proposed legislation seeks to penalize individuals and groups it claims have failed to curb—or have actively contributed to—religious persecution and insecurity in Nigeria.
While the bill targets several entities, the conspicuous mention of Senator Kwankwaso has sent shockwaves through the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya movement. Supporters view the move as a targeted political smear rather than a pursuit of justice, noting that Kwankwaso has long positioned himself as a champion of educational reform and urban renewal.
Diplomacy over Discord
By passing this motion, the Kano Assembly is shifting the battle from the court of public opinion to the arena of international diplomacy. The legislators are effectively placing the ball in Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s court, demanding that the state executive works with federal authorities to clarify Kwankwaso’s standing with American officials.
As the U.S. Congress continues its deliberations on the bill, the Kano State government now faces the delicate task of navigating international relations to protect the political future of its most influential patron.
