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Kperogi questions inclusion of Kwankwaso in proposed U.S. sanctions bill
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Media scholar and columnist Farooq Kperogi has expressed surprise over the inclusion of former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in a proposed United States bill seeking visa bans and asset freezes against certain Nigerian officials over alleged religious freedom violations.
In a post published Thursday on his verified Facebook account, Kperogi said he was initially “surprised, shocked even” that Kwankwaso was singled out by Republican congressmen in the proposed “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.”
According to him, a Daily Trust explainer on the bill clarified the rationale behind the move.
Kperogi argued that Kwankwaso’s political history does not support claims of religious extremism. He recalled that as governor of Kano State in 2000, Kwankwaso was reluctant to introduce Sharia law and faced significant pressure from both the public and sections of the Muslim clerical establishment before eventually declaring it.
Citing his own report published in Weekly Trust on June 30, 2000, co-authored with Sulaiman Aliyu and titled “Sharia: Triumph of Kano Masses,” Kperogi said Kwankwaso resisted the declaration of Sharia for months. He noted that the Sharia bill in Kano was introduced as a private bill, unlike in several other northern states, and was not sponsored by either the governor or state lawmakers.
He said the pressure on Kwankwaso at the time was so intense that the governor temporarily stopped attending public functions, with his deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje, frequently representing him. On one occasion, Ganduje was reportedly stoned during a Maulud celebration while standing in for the governor.
Kperogi quoted from his 2000 report, describing Kwankwaso as being “trapped in a delicate cul-de-sac,” with the eventual declaration of Sharia on June 21, 2000, presented as his only political escape route.
He further recalled that during the formal launch of Sharia, Kwankwaso cautioned against vigilantism and intimidation of non-Muslims, stating that only the state government had the authority to punish offenders.
According to Kperogi, Kwankwaso’s implementation of Sharia was widely perceived as lukewarm, contributing to tensions with influential clerics and ultimately to his defeat in the 2003 governorship election to Ibrahim Shekarau.
The columnist also referenced past rumours questioning Kwankwaso’s identity, describing them as false and politically motivated. He cited a 2023 Arise TV interview in which the issue was raised, noting that he had previously written about the episode.
On why Kwankwaso may have been singled out in the proposed U.S. legislation, Kperogi suggested it was linked to the former governor’s public criticism of the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom issues.
Kwankwaso had argued that the designation oversimplified a complex situation and that cooperation would be more constructive than confrontation.
Kperogi noted that U.S. Congressman Riley Moore reacted sharply on social media, accusing Kwankwaso of complicity in anti-Christian violence and referencing the introduction of Sharia law in Kano.
However, he said Kwankwaso did not respond to the comments and argued that the complexities surrounding Sharia’s adoption in Kano could not be adequately addressed in a social media exchange.
Kperogi further observed that the bill remains at the introduction stage in the U.S. House of Representatives and must pass several legislative hurdles before becoming law. He added that many Nigeria-specific standalone bills historically do not progress beyond the committee stage.
He concluded by suggesting that the controversy could inadvertently boost Kwankwaso’s political profile beyond Kano, potentially strengthening his appeal among northern voters.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State on Tuesday rolled out the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and improve access to timely healthcare across the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, commended the governor for procuring 20 ambulances for the programme, describing the initiative as a strategic step to align the state with ongoing national emergency health interventions. He noted that a formal inauguration of the scheme would be held at a later date.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf
Dr. Yusuf said the ambulances would play a critical role in transporting pregnant women to hospitals during labour, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality. He added that any patient conveyed to a hospital through the scheme would have their transportation costs covered by the government.
He also called on members of the Guild of Medical Directors to support the initiative by procuring additional ambulances to complement government efforts.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf inspecting the ambulances
According to the commissioner, the vehicles are expected to respond to distress calls within the shortest possible time, ensuring prompt medical attention for residents in need.
Dr. Yusuf further stated that KN-SEMSAS would provide free, coordinated pre-hospital and emergency care services statewide. He described the establishment of the system as a major milestone in strengthening emergency medical response, reducing preventable deaths, and improving access to life-saving care for the people of Kano State.
The event was attended by the Director-General of the Drugs and Medical Consumables Agency, Pharmacist Ghali Sule; the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KASCHMA), Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar; and the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Mahmoud Adamu Abbas.
Group Picture
Goodwill messages were presented by representatives of various stakeholders, including the Lafiya Project, the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), and the Kano State Fire Service, among others.
Abba Care: A Lifeline of Compassion in Kano State
GATCOSA President, Prof. Kabiru Isa Dandago is dead
BUK clinches Northwest 3×3 basketball title at ABU Zaria
Kano rolls out emergency medical services, deploys 20 Ambulances
APC constitutes committees for Kano state congress
Lami Maccido, first person to appear on screens of NTA Kano, CTV 67, dies at 72
Kano begins Ramadan food distribution as Gov. Yusuf constitutes feeding committee
Kano Police announce movement restrictions ahead of assembly by-elections
K-SAFE appeals to Kano Executive Council to pass revised education bill
