‘Deeply Offensive, Reckless’ – Nigerians In US Threaten To Sue US Lawmaker Over Comments On Sultan, Matawalle

Kimberly Daniels and Bello Matawalle

The United States chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG) has threatened legal action against lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels over her recent remarks on remarks on Nigeria’s security situation, including allegations involving the Sultan of Sokoto and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.

In a statement signed by its president, Cosmas Collins, the group described Daniels’ comments as “deeply offensive, unsubstantiated and diplomatically reckless.”

It warned that legal proceedings would be initiated in the United States if the lawmaker fails to retract her claims and issue an apology.

These statements are false, damaging and unacceptable. We are prepared to pursue all lawful means… if a full retraction is not issued,” Collins said.

The group strongly defended Sa’ad Abubakar, describing him as a symbol of unity and a key advocate of peace and religious harmony in Nigeria.

“To allege complicity in insecurity without credible evidence is not only defamatory but an affront to millions of Nigerians,” the statement added.

It said the remarks could inflame tensions and damage Nigeria’s global image.

On Matawalle, the group acknowledged that public officials are subject to scrutiny but insisted that calls for removal must be based on verifiable evidence.

It described the allegations against the minister as unproven and warned against narratives that could undermine ongoing security efforts.

“It is within the bounds of democratic engagement to question governance, but such interventions must be responsible and evidence-based. What we reject is the promotion of narratives that could undermine ongoing security efforts and distort international perception,” the group said.

The group urged foreign lawmakers to exercise caution when commenting on Nigeria’s internal issues, stressing the need for accuracy and context.

“Security challenges in Nigeria are multifaceted and require collaboration, not sensational claims,” Collins said.

NDMG-USA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s reputation abroad and promoting responsible global discourse.

It added that constructive engagement, rather than public accusations, remains key to addressing the country’s security challenges.