…Says minister lacks expertise, public confidence

The National Coalition Against Terrorism (NCAT) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack or redeploy the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing what it described as a lack of security expertise and public confidence.

The group’s demand follows recent reports attributed to U.S. Congresswoman, Representative Kimberly Daniels, which reportedly recommended the removal or redeployment of the minister over concerns about his performance and public perception.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, NCAT Convener, Marvin Ibe, urged the President to act on what he described as credible external assessments in the interest of national security.

According to Ibe, restoring both domestic and international confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture requires decisive leadership and accountability.

“We have carefully observed the ongoing allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, particularly concerning his past engagements during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State,” he said.

He claimed that public perception of the minister had been negatively affected by controversies relating to alleged dealings with bandits, adding that such concerns could undermine trust in the country’s security leadership.

“The reality is that when citizens lose confidence in those entrusted with their safety, the entire security framework is weakened,” Ibe stated.

The coalition aligned itself with the position attributed to Daniels, arguing that Nigeria must take seriously any intelligence or assessments that could help strengthen its fight against terrorism.

“To rebuild public trust and enhance operational effectiveness, the redeployment of the minister should be considered as a minimum step,” he said.

Ibe further urged the federal government to intensify efforts in tracking and prosecuting terrorism financiers, noting that cutting off funding sources is critical to defeating insurgency and violent extremism.

“We call on the President to act decisively and ensure that all elements undermining national security are addressed without delay,” he added.

The coalition maintained that urgent reforms are needed to strengthen Nigeria’s security system and restore confidence among citizens and international partners.