A group of former lawmakers has pushed back against recent calls for the removal of Bello Matawalle, warning that external commentary on Nigeria’s security situation could complicate ongoing efforts to address instability in parts of the country.

The Former Parliamentarians Forum, in a statement signed by its chairman, Gabriel Idoko, said demands for changes in the defence leadership were based on what it described as incomplete interpretations of complex security challenges.

The group was responding to remarks attributed to United States lawmaker Kimberly Daniels, who had called for Matawalle’s removal following the release of a report on violence in northern Nigeria.

According to the forum, attributing responsibility for longstanding security issues to a single public official risks oversimplifying the problem. It said Nigeria’s security challenges have developed over time and require coordinated responses across multiple institutions.

The statement noted that Matawalle operates within a broader defence framework under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which includes joint military operations and inter-agency coordination.

While acknowledging that insecurity persists in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions, the group said there have been efforts to improve coordination among security agencies and restore access to affected communities.

“These outcomes are the result of collective efforts rather than the actions of a single office,” the forum said, adding that abrupt leadership changes could disrupt existing coordination.

The group also expressed concern about what it described as the increasing internationalisation of Nigeria’s domestic security discussions, warning that public statements made without full context could heighten tensions.

It stressed that allegations involving senior government officials should be addressed through established investigative and legal processes within Nigeria, rather than through public campaigns.

The forum further pointed to Matawalle’s experience as a former governor of Zamfara State, arguing that such a background provides insight into local security dynamics and community engagement in conflict-prone areas.

It called for continued investment in intelligence gathering, community policing and socio-economic interventions as part of a broader strategy to address insecurity.

The group also urged stakeholders to avoid rhetoric that could undermine public confidence in security agencies, noting that sustained support is critical to ongoing operations.

The statement concluded with a call for measured and evidence-based assessments of Nigeria’s security situation, both from within the country and from international observers.