Nigerian Groups Condemn US Lawmaker's Call for Matawalle's Redeployment
In a strong rebuke, several Nigerian organizations have jointly criticized a recent call by United States lawmaker Kimberly Daniels for the redeployment of the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle. The groups, including the Nigerian Muslim Congress, Northern Elders Political Development Group, and Youths Vanguard for Peaceful Co-existence of Nigeria, issued a joint statement on Thursday in Sokoto, describing the call as inappropriate and deeply troubling.
Concerns Over External Interference
The statement, signed by Dr Abdullahi Usman Sarki as Chairman and Hon. Yusuf Abubakar as Secretary, raised significant concerns about external interference in Nigeria's internal affairs. They emphasized that matters related to Nigeria's security architecture are the exclusive responsibility of the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"Decisions regarding appointments, redeployments, and operational strategies are guided by national interest, local intelligence, and realities on the ground," the statement read. "External opinions must not override the authority of those directly accountable to the Nigerian people."
Defence of Matawalle's Role
The groups defended Matawalle's position, highlighting his experience as a former governor of Zamfara State, a region severely affected by banditry and insecurity. They argued that his firsthand knowledge of insurgency, communal conflicts, and banditry makes him a valuable contributor to ongoing national security efforts.
Additionally, they criticized what they termed "negative narratives" by individuals outside the country, accusing them of misrepresenting Nigeria's security situation and unfairly targeting specific officials. "It is irresponsible to single out one individual for challenges that are systemic, multifaceted, and longstanding," the statement noted, adding that insecurity issues predate the current administration.
Acknowledgment of Security Efforts
The organizations acknowledged that while security challenges persist, there have been sustained military operations and strategic interventions, particularly in the North-West states of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina. They claimed these efforts have led to measurable improvements in some areas.
They further cautioned against relying on external reports that may lack full context and operational intelligence, insisting that decisions on key security appointments remain the constitutional prerogative of the President. The groups also alleged attempts to circulate narratives aimed at discrediting the Federal Government, warning that such actions could undermine national unity and ongoing security operations.
