Ada Sandra Ukeresi
Abuja, Nigeria – April 16, 2026 — A coalition of Nigerian socio-political groups has strongly condemned a United States lawmaker’s demand for the redeployment of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, labelling the intervention as a brazen violation of the country’s sovereignty.
The Nigerian Muslim Congress, Northern Elders Political Development Group, and Youths Vanguard for Peaceful Co-existence of Nigeria issued a joint statement on Wednesday rejecting Congresswoman Kimberly Daniels’ position, which they described as “inappropriate and troubling.”
The coalition insisted that Nigeria’s security architecture remains exclusively within the purview of the Nigerian government.
“Decisions relating to security appointments and operational strategies fall under the authority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and must be guided by national interest, local intelligence, and on-ground realities,” the statement read.
The groups cautioned that external opinions, “regardless of intent, should not override the authority of officials directly accountable to Nigerians.”
Matawalle’s Track Record Defended
The coalition pointed to Matawalle’s tenure as former governor of Zamfara State—one of the regions hardest hit by banditry and insurgency—as evidence of his value to Nigeria’s security efforts. They argued that his firsthand understanding of the crisis makes him a critical asset.
“Banditry, insurgency, and communal conflicts are deeply rooted and cannot be resolved through simplistic or external assessments,” the groups stated.
Accusations of Foreign Overreach
The coalition further accused some foreign actors of promoting negative narratives about Nigeria, alleging that such positions often undermine the country’s collective interest. They noted that reports developed outside Nigeria’s official security framework frequently lack the full context and operational intelligence required for informed conclusions.
While acknowledging that progress may not be immediate, the groups cited improvements from sustained military operations in the North-West, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina states.
Call for Sovereignty and Unity
The coalition warned against attempts to circulate media narratives aimed at discrediting President Tinubu’s administration, saying such actions could undermine national unity and ongoing security operations.
They urged both local and international stakeholders to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and support efforts to address insecurity through constructive engagement.
The statement was jointly signed by Abdullahi Usman Sarki and Yusuf Abubakar on behalf of the coalition, who maintained that Matawalle should be allowed to continue his role “without undue interference or politicisation of national security matters.”
Middle-Belt Times 