US Lawmaker Accuses Nigerian Defence Minister of Bribery Attempt to Silence Genocide Report
In a shocking development, Kimberly Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14 in the United States, has publicly accused Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to bribe a US official. The alleged bribe was intended to deflect attention from a report by the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) that implicates Matawalle in Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Viral Video Allegations
Daniels made these serious claims in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday. She stated that Matawalle's move was a direct effort to cover up the UN-WCD report, which details the killings of Christians in Nigeria and holds him accountable. The lawmaker emphasized that no amount of pressure would silence her advocacy against these atrocities.
"A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria's minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report," Daniels asserted in the video. This allegation has quickly gained traction online, raising questions about international diplomatic integrity.
Background and Previous Calls for Action
Recall that Daniels, who also serves as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had previously called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle from his position. This demand was based on alleged complicity in the killings of Christians in regions such as Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria. Matawalle has not yet issued an official response to these latest accusations.
Daniels further elaborated that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she faced significant pressure from individuals she linked to the minister. This included attempts to discredit her report and what she characterized as efforts to "buy support" from US-based elected officials.
Details of the Alleged Bribery Attempt
According to Daniels, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement. The purpose was to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership. She claimed to have obtained evidence of communication related to this attempt, including a prepared statement and promotional material purportedly connected to the minister.
She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide American elected officials, not realizing that they are united in their stance. This assertion underscores the potential impact on US-Nigeria relations and highlights the broader implications for international accountability in human rights cases.
Implications and Ongoing Developments
The allegations have sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates and political observers. If proven true, they could lead to serious diplomatic repercussions and calls for further investigations into the Nigerian defence ministry's actions. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders await Matawalle's response and potential official inquiries.
This incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny of Nigeria's handling of security issues and religious violence, with international bodies like the UN-WCD playing a pivotal role in documenting and addressing these crises. The unity among US officials, as emphasized by Daniels, may influence future policy decisions regarding foreign aid and diplomatic engagements with Nigeria.
