Nigerian Diaspora Group Condemns US Lawmaker’s Call for Removal of Defence Minister Matawalle

The Nigerian-American Coalition for Strategic Stability defends Minister Bello Matawalle against "misinformed" calls for his removal by a US legislator.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 3:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Opposition to Foreign Interference

A coalition of Nigerians living in the United States has formally opposed a call by Florida lawmaker Kimberly Daniels for the removal or redeployment of Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. The Nigerian-American Coalition for Strategic Stability (NACSS) issued a statement on Thursday, April 16, describing the legislator's position as "externally driven" and "harmful to Nigeria’s sovereignty." Maxwell Akarachi, the coalition’s convener, argued that foreign opinions shaped by a limited understanding of Nigeria’s complex security landscape risk misrepresenting critical facts.

The Catalyst: Rising Insecurity and Easter Attacks

The diplomatic friction follows a statement published by Representative Daniels on her Facebook page, where she cited a recent security assessment and referenced worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central and North-West regions. Daniels’ call was particularly motivated by a surge in violence during the 2026 Easter period, which resulted in multiple fatalities across Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states. She referenced reports from local survivors suggesting a disconnect between official security assurances and the reality on the ground.

Contested Allegations and Security Experience

Representative Daniels, who also chairs the United World Congress of Diplomats, highlighted alleged concerns regarding Matawalle’s previous tenure as the Governor of Zamfara State. She cited "recycled allegations" of potential links between the Minister and bandit groups, alongside questions regarding his professional security experience. However, NACSS defended Matawalle, asserting that since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, he has significantly improved military intelligence coordination and contributed to gradual gains in reclaiming communities from armed groups.