Groups reject US lawmaker’s call to redeploy Matawalle

A coalition of northern-based groups has pushed back against recent remarks by the U.S lawmaker Kimberly Daniels, who called for the redeployment of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, describing the call as “inappropriate” and a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

In a joint statement issued in Sokoto on Thursday and signed by Dr Abdullahi Usman, Chairman and Hon Yusuf Abubakar, Secretary of the Nigerian Muslim Congress, Northern Elders Political Development Group, and Youths Vanguard for Peaceful Co-existence of Nigeria, insisted that decisions concerning Nigeria’s security architecture remain the exclusive prerogative of the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We find the call for the redeployment of the Hon Minister of State for Defence both inappropriate and troubling, as it raises serious concerns about external interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation,” the groups said.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the reaction follows reported criticism from Daniels over Nigeria’s handling of insecurity, particularly in the North-West, where banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence have persisted despite ongoing military operations.

Her comments reportedly suggested a shake-up in Nigeria’s defence leadership as part of efforts to address the crisis.

Nigeria has, for over a decade, grappled with multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and farmer-herder clashes across parts of the country.

Our correspondent also reports that while the current administration has sustained military offensives and security reforms aimed at curbing these threats, yet mixed outcomes have continued to dog the reforms across regions.

Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State which is one of the epicentres of banditry was appointed Minister of State for Defence in 2023, a move the government said was aimed at leveraging his local experience in tackling insecurity.

The coalition argued that Matawalle’s background gives him a strategic advantage in addressing the complexities of insecurity in the region.

“Honourable Mohammed Bello Matawalle brings to his current role a wealth of experience and firsthand understanding of the multifaceted security challenges facing the North-West,” the groups’ statement read in parts

“These challenges are deeply rooted and can not be resolved through simplistic or external assessments.”

They further stressed that security appointments and redeployments are constitutionally vested in the president, warning against what they described as growing external pressure on Nigeria’s internal affairs.

“Matters relating to Nigeria’s security architecture remain the exclusive responsibility of the federal government. External opinions, regardless of intent, must not override the authority of those directly accountable to the Nigerian people,” the groups added.

The coalition also criticised what it termed “negative and often misinformed narratives” about Nigeria by some foreign commentators, arguing that such views frequently lack operational context.

“There appears to be a pattern of commentary that does not fully appreciate the complexity of Nigeria’s security environment or the efforts being made on the ground,” the statement stressed.

While acknowledging that insecurity remains a major national concern, the groups described it as a longstanding problem that predates the current administration, cautioning against assigning blame to a single official.

“It is unfair and irresponsible to single out one individual for challenges that are systemic and have evolved over many years,” they noted.

They pointed to ongoing military operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina states as evidence of sustained efforts to restore stability.

“There have been sustained military operations and strategic interventions across the North-West. These efforts have contributed to measurable improvements in certain areas,” the groups stated.

It warned that politicising security issues or amplifying divisive narratives could undermine national unity and ongoing operations.

“At this critical time, Nigeria requires unity, constructive engagement, and respect for its sovereignty.

“Efforts to politicise security challenges or reduce them to individual blame do not serve the national interest,” the statement maintained.

They urged both local and international stakeholders to support Nigeria’s fight against insecurity in ways that respect its sovereignty and institutional processes.

“Matawalle, like other members of the President’s security team, deserves the opportunity to continue contributing to national security without undue interference,” the statement concluded.