Folashade Aliu, an aide to former New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate Rabi’u Kwankwaso, has described the US Congress sanctions on her principal as politically motivated.

Aliu made the claim on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, adding that the move was “seriously malicious.”

The new legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, proposes measures that could include sanctions against Fulani militias and former Kano State Governor Kwankwaso.

Reacting to the bill, Aliu said, “There is no indication that Kwankwaso has anything to do with religious bigotry or terrorism. This whole thing is seriously malicious and politically motivated.

“Kwankwaso is a nationalist and a person of good character; his running mate and some of his staff are Christians.

“Furthermore, the bill suggests that Kwankwaso was the first governor associated with Sharia, which is not correct.”