Five members of the United States Congress have presented a bill that could lead to visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and two other groups or individuals over alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

The proposed law, known as the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced by Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga.

The bill seeks to hold certain persons and groups accountable for what the sponsors describe as serious violations of religious freedom.

If passed, the legislation would require the US Secretary of State to give regular reports to Congress on Nigeria’s record in protecting religious freedom and the steps taken to safeguard communities facing attacks.

It would also direct US authorities to consider sanctions, security cooperation plans and humanitarian support to address the violence and prevent further attacks.

The lawmakers referred to figures showing that between 2009 and 2025, between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria, while more than 19,000 churches were destroyed.

They also mentioned deadly incidents in Yelwata, the Christmas Eve attacks of 2023 and 2024, and the Holy Week and Easter attacks of 2024 and 2025.

According to the sponsors, these incidents left over 9,500 people dead, most of them Christians, and forced more than 500,000 others to flee their homes.

They cited a 2026 global watch list which states that Nigeria accounts for 72 per cent of Christians killed worldwide.

The bill also refers to cases such as Rhoda Jatau and Deborah Yakubu, who faced mob attacks, detention or death over allegations of blasphemy, while those responsible for the violence were rarely punished.

The sponsors said former US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern due to religious freedom issues.

They argued that Nigerian authorities have often failed to stop religious violence or bring offenders to justice.

Under the proposal, the Secretary of State would assess whether some Fulani ethnic militias should be classified as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.

The US Departments of State and Treasury would also be expected to apply Global Magnitsky sanctions on individuals or groups found responsible for grave violations of religious freedom.

These measures could include visa restrictions and freezing of assets.

The legislation also recommended that the United States provide humanitarian aid, with financial support from the Nigerian government, through trusted civil society and faith-based groups operating in the Middle Belt region.

It called for cooperation with countries such as France, Hungary and the United Kingdom to support peace efforts and protect freedom of worship.

The lawmakers stated that future relations between the United States and Nigeria would depend on how the Nigerian government responds to the allegations of violence.

They added that Nigeria has the capacity to help stabilize the Sahel region and build stronger ties with Washington if it takes firm steps to stop attacks and protect vulnerable communities.

By Our Correspondent

The Nigerian Senate has adopted a provision allowing for both electronic and manual transmission of election results, marking an important development in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.

The decision comes after weeks of debate among lawmakers, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders over how results should be transmitted from polling units.

According to the adopted provision, results from polling units are to be transmitted electronically after votes are counted and the relevant result forms are completed and signed.

The move is intended to promote transparency, speed up the collation process, and reduce the risk of manipulation that may occur during delays in the movement of physical results.

The Senate, however, retained manual transmission as an alternative where electronic transmission is not feasible.

In cases of poor network coverage, technical difficulties, or other unforeseen challenges, physical result forms will remain valid for collation. Lawmakers explained that this approach reflects the current infrastructural realities in many parts of the country, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

The decision represents a compromise between advocates of compulsory real-time electronic transmission and those concerned about technological limitations nationwide. Supporters argue that electronic transmission will strengthen the credibility of elections, while others caution that relying solely on technology could disenfranchise voters in areas with limited connectivity.

With the adoption of this provision, the Senate aims to balance innovation with practicality as efforts to reform the electoral system continue.

The amendment is expected to enhance public confidence in the electoral process while ensuring that valid votes are not excluded due to technical challenges.

Popular Nigerian businessman, Isaac Fayose has alleged that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike was asked by the presidency to stop troubling the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu on Sunday night, met with Wike, Fubara and some stakeholders in Rivers to end the protracted political crisis in the state.

But the details of the meeting has remained sketchy as both parties kept mum on the outcome.

However, Fayose, in a video posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday morning, alleged that Wike was told that Fubara remains the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

“I learnt that presidency has warned Wike to leave Fubara alone. I told you people that Fubara is not going anywhere.

“They told Wike that Fubara is the leader of their party in Rivers State and that he should carry him along or else he may lose his job.

“Those who know Wike should warn him very well, I don’t want to visit him in Kuje prison like Emefiele”, Fayose claimed.