Nigerians in the United States have criticised a US lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, describing her call for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, as “ill-informed, externally influenced, and injurious to the country’s sovereignty.”
Operating under the banner of the Nigerian-American Coalition for Strategic Stability, the group stated that the intervention reflects a troubling pattern of foreign commentary shaped by actors with a limited understanding of Nigeria’s complex security environment.
The coalition’s convener, Maxwell Akarachi, raised the concerns in a statement issued on Thursday, warning that attempts to scapegoat key officials within Nigeria’s defence architecture risk distorting facts and emboldening forces working against the country’s stability.
“It is deeply concerning that a foreign legislator would adopt such a narrow and accusatory stance without engaging the full spectrum of stakeholders or appreciating the progress being made under extremely difficult circumstances,” he said.
The group argued that Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions, stem from years of structural vulnerabilities, cross-border criminal networks, and evolving asymmetric threats that cannot be reduced to the actions of a single office holder.
According to Akarachi, portraying Matawalle as a liability based on “unproven and recycled allegations” undermines ongoing security efforts and risks legitimising misinformation at a critical time.
“Those pushing these narratives know exactly what they are doing. They are attempting to fracture confidence in Nigeria’s defence leadership by amplifying half-truths and presenting them as established facts,” the statement read.
He maintained that since his appointment under the administration of Bola Tinubu, Matawalle has been part of a broader push to strengthen military operations, enhance intelligence sharing, and stabilise troubled regions.
While acknowledging that security incidents persist, the group noted incremental gains in disrupting armed groups and restoring access to communities previously overrun by bandits.
Akarachi also questioned the timing of Daniels’ remarks, suggesting they could be exploited by actors seeking to internationalise Nigeria’s internal security discourse for political or strategic gain.
The coalition urged international partners to exercise caution and responsibility in their engagements with Nigeria, stressing that constructive collaboration—not accusatory pronouncements—is essential in addressing shared security concerns.
“We welcome global partnerships, but such partnerships must be grounded in respect, accuracy, and a genuine commitment to solutions,” Akarachi added.
Daniels had earlier called on Tinubu to redeploy or remove Matawalle, citing concerns raised in a recent security assessment on Nigeria.
The Florida lawmaker, who also chairs the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the call in a statement posted on her Facebook page, pointing to the worsening security situation in parts of the country.
Her intervention followed renewed attacks in the North-Central and North-West regions during the 2026 Easter period, which left several persons dead across Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.
She noted that testimonies from local leaders and survivors revealed a gap between official assurances and realities on the ground.
The report, she said, raised concerns over Matawalle’s continued stay in office, citing alleged “red flags,” including claims of links with bandit groups during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State and questions over his security experience.
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