The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) reacted strongly against a proposed sanctions bill in the United States Congress that has drawn attention due to its mention of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the party's National Leader. The bill, known as the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, aims to impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals accused of violating religious freedoms in Nigeria. Specifically, it targets Kwankwaso along with various Fulani-ethnic militias and organizations associated with them, raising significant concerns about the implications of such sanctions for individuals named in the legislation.

During a press conference in Abuja, NNPP officials, including National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson, refuted the allegations linking Kwankwaso to religious freedom abuses, asserting that the accusations are unfounded. They emphasized the importance of political and legal processes in addressing such serious allegations, suggesting that the proposed sanctions represent a politically motivated attack rather than a genuine concern for human rights. The NNPP view is that this bill could be an attempt to undermine Kwankwaso's political standing and destabilize the party's influence in Nigeria.

This situation highlights the growing intersection of international policy and local politics in Nigeria, where sanctions could have far-reaching effects not only on targeted individuals but also on the broader political landscape. If passed, the legislation could strain Nigeria-US relations and create tension in an already complex environment where issues of religious freedom and ethnic conflicts are prominent. The NNPP's defense of Kwankwaso illustrates the challenges faced by political figures in Nigeria amid accusations that can have significant legal and political ramifications, stressing the need for careful scrutiny of international interventions in domestic affairs.