The bill recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of involvement in religious freedom abuses. Reacting at a press conference heldin Abuja, the NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, dismissed any suggestion that Kwankwaso was responsible for religious freedom violations. “In a statement posted on his X handle at the time, Senator Kwankwaso cautioned against what he described as oversimplified characterisations of Nigeria’s internal challenges. Questioning the allegation, the NNPP asked, “But is this enough to accuse Kwankwaso of severe religious freedom violations? Tensions over religious freedom have intensified amid persistent violence in parts of northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt.

Source: Punch February 12, 2026 02:13 UTC