Why U.S. Lawmakers Blacklisted Kwankwaso — NNPP Chieftain Breaks Silence
A senior figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party has spoken on the controversy surrounding the decision of United States lawmakers to list the party’s former presidential candidate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, in a new legislative proposal.
The chieftain, Abubakar Yesufu, said the move may be connected to Kwankwaso’s rising political influence and the support he commands across parts of the country.
He explained that powerful foreign interests often become uneasy when a political figure gains strong grassroots backing.
Yesufu made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Friday. According to him, the development did not come as a surprise.
The United States Congress recently introduced a bill focused on human rights accountability in Nigeria. The proposed law is titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. The bill includes possible sanctions against some individuals and groups, including Kwankwaso and certain Fulani militias.
Reacting to the issue, Yesufu said:
“Well, I would say as a person, it did not come to me as a surprise.
“I saw it coming as soon as Kwankwaso took those lawmakers you mentioned to the cleaners when they actually questioned their propriety of coming to investigate the country and asking America to allow us to use discretion in paving the way for a truly free society.
“It’s also shocking in the other way. We should look at it the other way because Kwankwaso is one of the most profound in terms of education encouragement and all that.
“Even the All Progressives Congress, APC, acknowledged that he helped register 10 million voters nationwide, with Kano alone contributing 8 million votes.
“We have started a petition, and I don’t think the American Congress will ignore this. We must consider his background and track record before jumping to conclusions.”
Yesufu argued that Kwankwaso’s long record in education development and political mobilisation does not match the image suggested by the bill. He insisted that the former governor has always promoted civic participation and democratic values.
He also revealed that supporters of the NNPP have begun a formal petition to challenge the listing.
According to him, the petition seeks to present Kwankwaso’s political history and public service record to American lawmakers for reconsideration.
