By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

SOKOTO:- Three prominent civic organisations in Nigeria have strongly condemned what they described as an externally driven campaign aimed at discrediting the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, warning against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal security management.

In a joint statement issued on April 16, the Nigerian Muslim Congress, Northern Elders Political Development Group, and Youths Vanguard for Peaceful Co-existence of Nigeria criticised comments attributed to U.S. lawmaker Kimberly Daniels, which reportedly called for Matawalle’s redeployment over Nigeria’s security situation.

The groups described the remarks as inappropriate and troubling, stressing that matters relating to Nigeria’s security architecture remain the exclusive responsibility of the Nigerian government.

According to the statement, decisions on security appointments, redeployments and operational strategies are guided by national interest and local intelligence under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“External opinions, regardless of intent, must not override the authority of those directly accountable to the Nigerian people,” the organisations said.

They emphasised that Matawalle’s appointment was based on his experience and familiarity with security challenges, particularly during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State, one of the areas hardest hit by banditry and armed violence in the North-West.

The groups argued that the country’s security challenges are deeply rooted and complex, noting that they predate the current administration and cannot be reduced to the actions or performance of a single individual.

They further criticised what they described as attempts by individuals living outside Nigeria to promote negative narratives about the country and its leadership.

“Some external commentators often rely on incomplete information to make sweeping judgments about Nigeria’s internal affairs, sometimes targeting specific individuals in ways that undermine the country’s collective interest,” the statement noted.

The organisations stressed that insecurity in Nigeria is a multifaceted problem requiring coordinated responses from the armed forces, intelligence agencies and other government institutions, rather than personalising the issue.

They pointed to ongoing military operations and security interventions across the North-West, including in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Katsina states, which they said have yielded measurable progress in some areas.

According to the groups, assessments produced outside Nigeria’s officiall security framework frequently lack the operational intelligence and context required for balanced conclusions.

They reiterated that decisions regarding the deployment or retention of senior officials in the security sector remain the constitutional prerogative of the President and must not be influenced by external pressure.

The organisations also raised concerns about what they called deliberate attempts by some actors to circulate narratives aimed at discrediting the administration of President Tinubu and weakening public confidence in ongoing security efforts.

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

They warned that politicising the country’s security challenges or attributing them to a single official could undermine ongoing operations and distract from broader national efforts to restore stability.

The groups therefore urged both domestic and international stakeholders to support Nigeria’s fight against insecurity in a manner that respects the country’s sovereignty and institutional processes.

They added that Matawalle, like other members of the President’s security team, should be allowed to continue contributing to national security without undue interference.

The statement was jointly signed by Abdullahi Usman Sarki, chairman of the coalition, and Yusuf Abubakar, secretary of the joint congress representing the three organisations.