Kano, Nigeria – February 12, 2026 — A prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Buba Galadima, has strongly rejected allegations linking the party’s national leader and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to terrorism or religious persecution, describing the claims as a deliberate and politically orchestrated attempt to undermine his political influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview on Thursday, Galadima addressed recent reports and discussions in the United States Congress surrounding the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), which reportedly mentions Kwankwaso in connection with possible targeted sanctions. The legislation, introduced by Republican lawmakers, calls for scrutiny of individuals and groups allegedly involved in violations of religious freedom, including references to the implementation of Sharia law during Kwankwaso’s tenure as governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and 2011 to 2015.
Galadima dismissed the insinuations as baseless and lacking any credible evidence, insisting that the allegations are timed to weaken Kwankwaso’s potential presidential or vice-presidential ambition in the next general election cycle.
“The insinuation that Kwankwaso was a financier of terrorism is baseless. It is an attempt to smear a peaceful Nigerian ahead of the 2027 elections,” Galadima stated. “This is nothing but a politically motivated campaign designed to damage his reputation and limit his options in the coming political contest.”
The veteran politician defended Kwankwaso’s record during his first term as governor (1999–2003), highlighting his support for then-President Olusegun Obasanjo despite significant political risks to his own re-election prospects in the predominantly northern state. Galadima argued that such actions demonstrated Kwankwaso’s commitment to national unity and democratic principles rather than any extremist agenda.
Addressing the specific claim related to Sharia law, Galadima clarified that Kwankwaso did not implement Sharia in its strictest or most punitive form during his first term. He noted that the political controversies surrounding Sharia contributed significantly to the emergence of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau as governor in 2003, as the issue became a major electoral factor in Kano.
“Kwankwaso maintained a record of protecting minority groups during his time in office,” Galadima added. “He ensured that Christians, non-indigenes, and other minorities in Kano lived without fear or discrimination. To now turn around and accuse him of religious persecution is not only unfair but also a distortion of history.”
The NNPP chieftain also accused certain media organisations and unnamed political actors of spreading unverified reports and amplifying foreign narratives without proper fact-checking or context. He urged the public and international observers to disregard what he called “malicious propaganda” and focus on Kwankwaso’s long-standing advocacy for good governance, education, infrastructure development, and peaceful coexistence.
Galadima’s robust defence comes amid growing speculation about Kwankwaso’s political future following the 2023 presidential election, where he ran on the NNPP platform and secured significant support in northern states. The former governor has remained a key figure in opposition politics and a potential power broker ahead of 2027, making any attempt to tarnish his image a matter of high political stakes.
The proposed U.S. legislation remains in the early stages of the congressional process and has not resulted in any formal sanctions or designations. Neither Senator Kwankwaso nor the NNPP national leadership has issued a separate official statement on the matter beyond Galadima’s remarks. However, the party has consistently maintained that its leader operates within the bounds of the law and has never been convicted or formally charged in connection with terrorism, violence, or religious intolerance.
The controversy highlights the intersection of domestic Nigerian politics with international human rights and religious freedom advocacy. Critics of the U.S. bill argue that it risks oversimplifying complex communal and resource-based conflicts in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and North-West regions, while supporters maintain that greater accountability is needed for alleged perpetrators of violence against religious minorities.
As the 2027 election season approaches, statements such as Galadima’s are likely to form part of a broader narrative battle over the legacies and future ambitions of major political figures in Nigeria.
