Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu may be linked to efforts pushing for United States sanctions against a former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
El-Rufai made the allegation on Friday during an interview on Prime Time on Arise Television, against the backdrop of a proposed US congressional bill seeking visa restrictions and asset freezes against individuals accused of serious violations of religious freedom.
He described Kwankwaso’s inclusion in the proposed sanctions list as unjustified.
“I think it is most unfair to tag Kwankwaso,” El-Rufai said, adding that he was trying to understand whether “the nine million dollars lobby money” being reported in political circles influenced the decision, particularly because Kwankwaso had declined to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
According to him, the federal government could be behind the move.
“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 said.
El-Rufai also questioned why only Kwankwaso was being singled out, noting that several northern states introduced Sharia law.
“I thought Zamfara should be listed there if at all anyone is to be blamed for this Sharia fiasco,” he said.
He maintained that Kano did not implement Sharia as strictly as some other states.
“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 stated.
He further argued that former Zamfara State governors such as Ahmed Yerima and Abdulaziz Yari, whom he said presided over tougher Sharia enforcement, were not mentioned because they belong to the APC.
The proposed bill, sponsored by Chris Smith and co-sponsored by Riley Moore, also lists the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Fulani ethnic nomad militias over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.
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