Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The United States chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG-USA) has threatened legal action against a Florida lawmaker over comments she made accusing the Sultan of Sokoto of complicity in Nigeria’s insecurity crisis and calling for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the group’s US president, Cosmas Collins, NDMG-USA described the remarks as “deeply offensive, unsubstantiated and diplomatically reckless,” warning that legal proceedings would be initiated in the United States if the lawmaker fails to retract her claims and issue a full apology.
The lawmaker in question, Kimberly Daniels, is a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14. In recent public remarks, she called on President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle from office while also making allegations linking the Sultan of Sokoto to the escalating insecurity in northern Nigeria. Daniels has not provided any public evidence to support the claims. Her comments have sparked outrage among Nigerian diaspora groups, who view the statements as a direct attack on one of the country’s most revered traditional institutions.
Reacting to the remarks, Collins said the group was particularly alarmed by what it described as a “direct and unjustified attack” on the Sultan. He stressed that the traditional ruler has long been a symbol of unity and a consistent advocate for peace, dialogue, and inter-religious harmony in Nigeria. “The Sultan of Sokoto is a symbol of unity and moral authority whose voice has consistently been deployed in the service of peace, dialogue and national cohesion,” Collins said. “To allege complicity in insecurity without credible evidence is not only defamatory but an affront to millions of Nigerians who respect the institution he represents.” He added that the allegations are harmful to Nigeria’s international image and capable of inflaming unnecessary tensions both within and outside the country.
The group also addressed Daniels’ call for Matawalle’s removal, stating that while public officials are rightly subject to scrutiny, such calls must be based on verifiable facts rather than unproven allegations. “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,” Collins said. The group warned that if Daniels does not retract her statements, it is prepared to pursue “all lawful means within the United States” to seek redress.
While acknowledging that global concern over Nigeria’s security challenges is understandable, Collins stressed that commentary from foreign officials must be grounded in verified facts and a proper understanding of the country’s complexities. “Security challenges in Nigeria are multifaceted and require collaboration, not sensational claims that misrepresent realities and target respected institutions,” he said. He noted that the Sultan has remained a consistent advocate for peace and conflict resolution, and warned that such contributions should not be distorted for political narratives.
The group called on foreign lawmakers to exercise restraint and prioritise constructive engagement over public accusations. “We call on international partners to approach Nigeria’s internal challenges with respect, accuracy and a commitment to truth. Mischaracterisation of key national figures does not advance solutions,” Collins said. NDMG-USA reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s image abroad and promoting responsible global discourse on the country’s security situation. As of this report, Daniels has not issued a public response to the group’s demands.
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