Civil Society Coalition Backs US Lawmaker's Call for Defence Minister's Removal
A prominent civil society organization, the National Coalition Against Terrorism (NCAT), has issued a strong appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to act on the recommendations put forward by United States Congresswoman Kimberly Daniels. The US lawmaker had previously called for the immediate removal or redeployment of Nigeria's Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing serious concerns about national security.
NCAT Endorses Assessment Report Citing Minister's Alleged Bandit Connections
During a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, April 17, NCAT Convener Marvin Ibe declared the group's full alignment with the assessment report attributed to Congresswoman Daniels. Ibe emphasized that acting on these recommendations would serve Nigeria's best interests in its ongoing battle against terrorism and widespread insecurity.
"We have observed with keen interest the accusations and counter-accusations surrounding the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, particularly regarding his alleged relationship with bandits during his tenure as the executive Governor of Zamfara State," Ibe stated firmly.
Urgent Action Needed to Restore Public Confidence in Security Architecture
The coalition stressed that restoring public trust in Nigeria's security framework is absolutely critical. They noted that both Nigerian citizens and international partners must have unwavering confidence in the country's defence leadership to effectively combat security threats.
According to Ibe, "To an extent, videos featuring his former aides have testified to his close relationship with bandits, including negotiations for ransom payments and other gifts showered on terrorists, which effectively makes him a sympathizer." He added that Daniels' recommendation reflects deeper concerns about internal threats to national security that must be addressed promptly.
Coalition Calls for Immediate Sack or Redeployment of Defence Minister
NCAT has formally called on President Tinubu to either remove or reassign Minister Matawalle from his current position. The group argues that public confidence in the minister has been significantly eroded due to these persistent allegations and his perceived lack of prerequisite experience to manage the Nigeria Ministry of Defence effectively.
"We totally align ourselves with the position of Kimberly Daniels and call for the immediate sack or redeployment of Bello Matawalle from the Ministry of Defence. It is widely believed that the people no longer have confidence in him because of his past relationship with bandits," Ibe declared during the briefing.
Intelligence Concerns and Global Perception at Stake
The coalition also issued a warning that lingering doubts surrounding defence leadership could seriously undermine intelligence operations and damage Nigeria's standing among global security partners. Ibe noted that when America speaks on such matters, it typically follows through with action, and sharing this intelligence should help reshape the security apparatus of the Tinubu administration.
He further criticized attempts to dismiss the report, describing such reactions as counterproductive to national security interests. "We view it as a disservice for any Nigerian to go against this report, as it represents unique intelligence that could reshape the entire war against terrorism," Ibe emphasized.
President Tinubu Urged to Take Decisive Action Against Terrorism Financing
The coalition concluded by calling on President Tinubu to take swift and decisive steps, including broader actions against terrorism financing across the country. Ibe stated, "We heartedly endorse the entire report of Kimberly Daniels and call on President Tinubu to act fast before it's too late. Mr. President must wake up to this call and do the needful before the country is overrun by enemies within."
He also urged the government to intensify efforts to identify and prosecute those funding terrorism activities, stressing that such measures would significantly help curb the insecurity plaguing various regions of Nigeria.
Contrasting Views from Nigerians Abroad
Meanwhile, some Nigerians residing in the United States have criticized Congresswoman Daniels' remarks, describing her intervention as "ill-informed, externally influenced, and injurious to the country's sovereignty." This contrasting perspective highlights the complex dynamics surrounding international involvement in Nigeria's internal security matters and the ongoing debate about the most effective approaches to addressing the nation's security challenges.
