‘It’s Unfair to Tag Him’ — El-Rufai Criticises US Sanctions on Kwankwaso over Alleged Religious Violations

Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, has faulted the push to impose US sanctions on Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, over alleged religious freedom violations.

The former governor spoke during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Friday, amid reports of a proposed US congressional bill that names Kwankwaso among individuals potentially subject to visa bans and asset freezes for “severe religious freedom violations.”

“I think it is most unfair to tag Kwankwaso. I’m trying to figure out whether it is the nine million dollars lobby money that led to the list of Kwankwaso because he has refused to move to the APC,” el-Rufai said.

“Because the evil that this government is capable of is beyond imagination. They may be behind it because Kwankwaso has refused to move to the APC and there are rumours that he would move to the ADC. In fact, I cannot think of anyone else behind it.”

He questioned the selective targeting of Kwankwaso, noting that 12 northern states implemented Sharia law, with Zamfara taking the lead.

“I thought Zamfara should be listed there if at all anyone is to be blamed for this Sharia fiasco,” he said.

“Kwankwaso followed suit like many northern governors, and Kano was not strict in implementing Sharia. So, he is not one of the governors that you would say are fundamentalists.”

He said former governors associated with stricter Sharia implementations, such as those who oversaw amputations, were not mentioned and are within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Those that cut off hands are walking the streets, but they are in APC. Nobody is mentioning Ahmed Yerima or Abdulaziz Yari; these are governors of Zamfara state that promoted Sharia,” he added.

The proposed US bill, introduced by Republican lawmaker Chris Smith and co-sponsored by Riley Moore, also targets groups like the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Fulani ethnic nomad militias, citing concerns over religious persecution and failure to prosecute offenders in Nigeria.