Nigerians living in the United States have faulted a US lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, over her call for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, describing her position as “misinformed, externally driven, and harmful to Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
The group, operating under the Nigerian-American Coalition for Strategic Stability, said Daniels’ comments reflect a growing trend of foreign opinions shaped by individuals with limited understanding of Nigeria’s complex security realities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the coalition’s convener, Maxwell Akarachi, warned that attempts to single out key figures within Nigeria’s defence structure risk misrepresenting facts and emboldening forces working against national stability.
He said it was troubling that a foreign legislator would adopt what he described as a narrow and accusatory position without engaging a broad range of stakeholders or recognising ongoing efforts under difficult conditions.
The coalition maintained that Nigeria’s security challenges—particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions—are rooted in longstanding structural issues, cross-border criminal networks, and evolving asymmetric threats, which cannot be attributed to one individual.
Akarachi argued that portraying Matawalle as a liability based on “unverified and recycled allegations” undermines current security operations and promotes misinformation at a critical time. He added that such narratives are aimed at weakening public confidence in Nigeria’s defence leadership by presenting half-truths as facts.
According to him, since his appointment under President Bola Tinubu, Matawalle has contributed to efforts aimed at strengthening military operations, improving intelligence coordination, and restoring stability in affected regions. While acknowledging that security challenges persist, the group noted that there have been gradual gains in disrupting armed groups and reclaiming communities previously under threat.
Akarachi also questioned the timing of Daniels’ remarks, suggesting they could be exploited by actors seeking to project Nigeria’s internal security issues onto the international stage for political or strategic purposes.
The coalition urged global partners to engage Nigeria with caution and responsibility, emphasising that effective collaboration should be based on mutual respect, accuracy, and a shared commitment to solutions rather than public criticism.
Daniels had earlier called on President Bola Tinubu to redeploy or remove Matawalle, citing concerns raised in a recent security assessment. The Florida lawmaker, who chairs the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the call via a statement on her Facebook page, referencing worsening insecurity in parts of the country.
Her comments followed renewed attacks in the North-Central and North-West regions during the 2026 Easter period, which left several people dead across Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states.
Daniels said accounts from local leaders and survivors suggested a disconnect between official assurances and the realities on the ground. She also referenced alleged concerns raised in the report, including claims of links between Matawalle and bandit groups during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State, as well as questions about his security experience.