A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Buba Galadima, has alleged that a petition has been sent from Kano State to the Federal Government, seeking to prevent the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from entering the State.

Galadima made the claim on Thursday during an interview with DCL Hausa while reacting to reported moves by the United States Congress to impose a visa ban on the former Kano State governor and leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement over allegations of religious freedom violations.

“We are aware that a petition has been written from Kano to the Federal Government trying to prevent Kwankwaso from coming into Kano. But we are awaiting the response of the Federal Government,” Galadima said.

He questioned the motive behind the alleged move, asking, “Do they want to stop him from coming to the state the way they have done in the past? Let’s see. Unless there are no judges in the country, we will challenge anybody. Or do they want to kill him?”

Galadima dismissed allegations of Christian persecution against Kwankwaso, describing them as unfounded and politically-motivated. According to him, the reported threat of a US visa ban did not come as a surprise to the party.

“This threat by the US Congress didn’t come to us as a surprise. Even though this isn’t what we expected, many followers had reliably informed us of unpleasant plans against him by the APC-led government if he failed to yield to mounting pressure to join the ruling party,” he said.

He further alleged that unnamed political actors were behind the controversy in an attempt to tarnish the former governor’s image.

“We suspect they had a hand in this latest US issue to defame Kwankwaso just to cast aspersions on his character for some people to benefit politically, thinking they will remove him from the hearts of the common people,” he said.

Galadima added that the fear of a potential political alliance ahead of the 2027 general election could be driving the alleged campaign against the NNPP leader.

“This is all because they are afraid of any possible alliance with a strong southern counterpart because no one has grassroots support like he does. There are rumours that Kwankwaso might align with either Goodluck or Peter Obi and if that happens, the election will be decided before even 9am,” he claimed.

Galadima also alleged that the former governor had been subjected to threats and intimidation.

“There is nothing that hasn’t been planned against Kwankwaso. He has been threatened with what they called ‘Malami treatment.’ Government officials have also threatened to arrest and humiliate him on spurious allegations. Even without saying anything, words will be fabricated and attributed to us, yet we remain unshaken,” he said.

Galadima maintained that the NNPP would act in the best interest of its supporters and Nigerians.

“Kwankwaso is not scared. He has made it clear that he will not move to another party unless the conditions he set for the good of the people are fulfilled,” he added.

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