The National Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ahmed Ajuji, says the party has written to the United States Congress to defend its 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, following allegations linking him to terrorism.
Ajuji disclosed this during an interview on Arise Television on Thursday, stating that the party moved swiftly to counter what it described as politically motivated accusations.
The NNPP chair said Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, was unfairly singled out.
“In the first place, you understand that he was the only individual who was named by name. All the others are organisations. We wondered, therefore, why he was singled out and named among those that they think are the ones promoting terrorism in Nigeria,” Ajuji said.
Describing the allegation as controversial, Ajuji suggested that it may be politically driven.
“This is a question that is wrapped in so many controversies. It is a religious kind of accusation, but at the end of the day, we believe that it is a political witch-hunt which the US Congress has embarked upon,” he said.
According to him, the party formally communicated its position to US lawmakers in defence of Kwankwaso.
“For now, our reaction to it was to write the US Congress to absolve Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from all these accusations,” Ajuji stated.
He expressed confidence that the explanations provided by the party would address what it considers a misunderstanding.
“We believe, therefore, that when they see the explanations that we have provided, they will know that they were in the wrong place,” he said.
Ajuji insisted that Kwankwaso has no links to terrorism and pointed to his record as governor as evidence of his commitment to religious harmony.
“The point is that he did not participate, of course, in any of such things. He indeed promoted a lot of religious harmony when he was governor of Kano on two different occasions, and his work and evidence are there for everyone to see,” he added.
Ajuju stated this following the introduction of a proposed legislation by U.S. lawmakers aimed at increasing accountability for human rights abuses in Nigeria, including potential sanctions against Fulani militias and Kwankwaso.
Announcing the bill, U.S. Representative Riley Moore said, “Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith.”
Moore added, “The U.S. is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world.”
“Our legislation will build upon the momentum of President Trump designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement,” he said.
The PUNCH