NNPP Demands Probe of Kwankwaso Over Alleged US Terror List Inclusion

Breaking Political Development: The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has formally urged Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to launch an immediate investigation into allegations that former presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been designated by the United States government as a financier of terrorism. This unprecedented demand from a major political party thrusts a prominent opposition figure into a complex international security controversy, raising critical questions about political rivalry, national security protocols, and the veracity of the claims.

Key Points

Background: The NNPP-Kwankwaso Schism and Political Context

The 2023 Alliance and Its Collapse

To understand the current crisis, one must revisit the 2023 general election cycle. The NNPP, a party with a long but regionally limited history, forged a high-profile alliance with Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State and a seasoned political heavyweight with a significant followership known as the “Kwankwasiyya” movement. This merger was seen as a strategic move to create a formidable northern opposition challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kwankwaso became the NNPP’s presidential candidate.

Following President Bola Tinubu’s victory, the alliance quickly unraveled. Reports of internal discord, disagreements over campaign finances (“party returns”), and conflicting political ambitions surfaced. The NNPP’s subsequent expulsion of Kwankwaso formalized the split, with both sides trading accusations of betrayal and misconduct. The party’s current statement is the most explosive in this series of post-election recriminations.

Who is Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso?

Kwankwaso is a veteran Nigerian politician with a decades-long career. He served two terms as Governor of Kano State (1999-2003 and 2011-2015) and as Minister of Defence (2003-2007). He is known for his populist policies, large-scale infrastructure projects in Kano, and a fiercely loyal political base. His political style is often described as confrontational and decisive, which the NNPP now characterizes as “terrorising.” His movement, Kwankwasiyya, is a significant political force in Northwestern Nigeria. His expulsion from the NNPP left him politically adrift, though he remains an influential senator and a key figure in the opposition landscape.

Analysis: Unpacking the Allegations and Implications

The Nature of the U.S. “Terror List”

The NNPP refers to an “alleged US terror checklist.” This almost certainly points to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) or a designation under Executive Order 13224, which targets global terrorists and their supporters. Being listed means all assets under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designated individual or entity.

Verification Status: As of this writing, there is no public record on the official OFAC SDN List of a designation for “Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.” The NNPP’s allegation is based on its interpretation of events or possibly unverified intelligence. The statement says “alleged” and references “the reported motion via the United States Congress,” which is a vague description. A formal designation is made by OFAC, not by a congressional motion. This ambiguity is a critical flaw in the NNPP’s claim and requires immediate clarification from either the U.S. authorities or the NNPP itself with concrete evidence.

Political Motivations and Credibility Assessment

The timing and source of the allegation are deeply political. The NNPP is licking its wounds from a divisive presidential campaign and a messy split with its former figurehead. The call for a probe serves multiple potential purposes:

• Political Distancing: By making this explosive claim, the NNPP leadership is attempting to permanently sever ties with Kwankwaso and his brand of politics, rebranding the party as a responsible, security-conscious entity.
• Deflection and Narrative Control: The party shifts the narrative from its internal crisis and the reasons for Kwankwaso’s expulsion to a matter of national security and alleged personal criminality of its former ally.
• Gaining Favor with the Administration: Aligning with the federal government’s security agenda and challenging President Tinubu to act could be a strategic overture, potentially seeking to mitigate any political persecution or gain a more favorable operating environment.

However, the credibility of the NNPP’s claims is undermined by its failure to provide any evidence—no document reference number, no date of alleged designation, no U.S. agency cited. The description of Kwankwaso’s behavior as “terrorising” within the party is a subjective political characterization, not a legal finding. The reference to “judicial observations” in Kano election tribunals describing the “Kwankwasiyya movement in debatable terms” is also unsubstantiated and dangerously conflates aggressive political mobilization with terrorism.

Legal and National Security Dimensions

If, hypothetically, a credible U.S. designation exists, the implications for Nigeria are significant but procedural:

• Obligation to Investigate: Nigeria, as a partner in the global war on terror, has a duty under United Nations Security Council resolutions and its own domestic laws (like the Terrorism (Prevention) Act) to investigate credible allegations of terrorism financing against its citizens, regardless of the source.
• Presumption of Innocence: A foreign designation, while serious, is an administrative act. Nigerian authorities must conduct their own independent investigation based on Nigerian law and evidence. An accusation is not a conviction.
• Political Weaponization Risk: The greatest danger is the misuse of national security apparatus for political vendettas. The DSS must demonstrate absolute impartiality. Investigating a political opponent based solely on a party’s unverified allegation would be a gross abuse of process and could destabilize the polity.
• International Repercussions: A confirmed U.S. designation would likely trigger automatic investigations by financial institutions worldwide, leading to de-risking and severe financial isolation for the individual and potentially associated entities.

Practical Advice: For Authorities, Media, and the Public

For Security and Judicial Agencies (DSS, EFCC, Judiciary)

1. Request for Legal Assistance: The DSS should formally request from the U.S. Department of State or Treasury any official communication or legal basis regarding the alleged designation of Senator Kwankwaso through mutual legal assistance treaties.
2. Independent Forensic Audit: Launch a discreet, evidence-based investigation into any financial flows that may relate to terrorism financing, examining both historical and recent transactions. This must be detached from the NNPP’s political narrative.
3. Public Communication: Issue a clear, factual statement acknowledging receipt of the NNPP’s petition and outlining the standard procedure for evaluating such serious allegations, emphasizing the presumption of innocence and the need for evidence.
4. Inter-Agency Coordination: Ensure coordination between the DSS (security intelligence), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC – financial crimes), and the Attorney-General’s office to build a coherent legal case if evidence emerges.

For the NNPP and Political Actors

1. Provide Evidence: The NNPP must immediately furnish the DSS with any and all evidence in its possession that supports the allegation. Making public claims without providing evidence to authorities is reckless and can incite public panic or violence.
2. Cease Inflammatory Language: Terms like “terrorised” and “blood-sucking groups” have no place in a formal party statement about a political dispute. Such language inflames tensions and can endanger the individual named and his supporters.
3. Focus on Internal Reform: The party would be better served by publicly detailing the specific “anti-party actions and corruption” that led to Kwankwaso’s expulsion, using its own internal disciplinary processes as a model for political accountability.

For the Media and Civil Society

1. Verify Before Amplifying: Media outlets must treat the NNPP’s claim as an allegation until independently verified. Headlines should reflect the uncertainty: “NNPP Alleges…” not “Kwankwaso Listed…”.
2. Contextualize the U.S. List: Explain to the public what a U.S. terrorism designation entails, the rigorous (though sometimes criticized) process behind it, and that it is not a criminal conviction.
3. Monitor for Hate Speech: Civil society should vigilantly monitor for any rise in hate speech or violence targeting Kwankwaso, his supporters, or the NNPP in the wake of these allegations.
4. Advocate for Transparency: Call on the DSS to conduct any investigation transparently and in accordance with the rule of law, reporting back to the public on its findings or the reasons for non-disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso officially on a U.S. terrorism list?

A: As of now, there is no official public confirmation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s OFAC that Senator Kwankwaso is on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List or any other terrorism-related sanctions list. The NNPP’s statement is an allegation based on what it claims is a “reported motion.” The claim remains unverified. Any individual can search the official OFAC SDN list on the Treasury’s website.

Q2: What does it mean if someone is listed by the U.S. as a terrorism financier?