The United Front for Religious Tolerance in Nigeria has firmly rejected allegations circulating online that the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, attempted to bribe a United States official to suppress reports on Nigeria’s security situation, describing the claims as “false, unfounded, and lacking credibility.”
In a strongly worded press statement signed by Barrister Okie Okechukwu, the group said it was compelled to respond to what it called a dangerous wave of misinformation allegedly linked to remarks attributed to a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Kimberly Daniels, during a Facebook live broadcast.
“The United Front for Religious Tolerance in Nigeria strongly condemns recent online publications alleging that the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON, attempted to bribe a United States official to suppress reports on Nigeria’s security situation,” the statement read.
Dismissing the claims in unequivocal terms, the group stated, “These claims… are entirely false, unfounded, and lack credibility,” adding that the allegations do not align with the Minister’s known record in public service.
“We state unequivocally that the Honourable Minister has never engaged in, nor would he condone, any act of bribery or misconduct. The allegations are baseless and do not reflect his conduct or public service record,” the statement emphasized.
The group warned that such accusations could have far-reaching consequences for national stability, especially at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multifaceted security challenges.
“We are concerned about the damaging impact of such unsubstantiated claims at a time when Nigeria is confronting complex security challenges,” the statement noted. “Insinuations that the Minister sought to influence American officials through ‘coordinated messaging’ are not only misleading but risk heightening tensions in an already fragile environment.”
Highlighting the Minister’s stance on national unity, the group reiterated that insecurity in Nigeria is not driven by religious bias but affects all citizens irrespective of identity.
“Dr. Matawalle has consistently maintained that insecurity affects all Nigerians; Christians, Muslims, men, women, young and old, and is not targeted at any single religious group or region,” it said. “The violence perpetrated by non-state actors cuts across the country and requires collective, not divisive, responses.”
While acknowledging the importance of international engagement, the organization cautioned against what it described as attempts to politicize Nigeria’s internal security concerns.
“While we welcome genuine international interest in Nigeria’s security, we reject attempts to politicize the crisis or undermine the sovereignty of our democratic institutions,” the statement read. “Calls to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture based on misinterpretation of events are inappropriate. Concerns should be channeled through proper diplomatic and investigative processes, not inflammatory public broadcasts.”
Reaffirming the Minister’s commitment to his duties, the group stated that he remains undeterred by what it termed “campaigns of calumny.”
“The Honourable Minister remains focused on his mandate. He has been at the forefront of strategic engagements with domestic and international partners to restore peace, particularly in Northern Nigeria. He will not be distracted by campaigns of calumny or malicious propaganda,” it declared.
The statement further alleged that political motivations may be behind the accusations, linking them to the Minister’s loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his growing influence in national and state politics.
“These campaigners of calumny are trying to drag his name to the mud because of his support for Mr. President, which is unshakable,” the group said. “He has refused to join the conspiracy against the re-election of our amiable Jagaban. Furthermore, in his home state politics, his growing influence and loyalty to President Tinubu is unsettling them and also a threat to the political class who feel they will not get his support in the upcoming elections.”
In a direct rebuke of the alleged source of the claims, the group described the accusations as “absurd, malicious, preposterous and naive.”
“It is absurd, malicious, preposterous and naive for the woman… the American legislator who claims to know Nigeria more than us,” the statement asserted. “She should channel her bitterness against Nigeria to somewhere else as Nigeria is moving towards greatness and economic independence under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.”
The United Front concluded by urging restraint and responsibility in public discourse, particularly from the media and influential voices.
“We urge the public and media to disregard these misleading reports and to verify information before amplification,” the statement advised. “Reckless allegations of religious bigotry and corruption only serve to heat up the polity and distract from the urgent task of securing our nation.”
