Group dismisses allegations against Defence Minister as political

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned recent accusations against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, describing them as politically driven and unsubstantiated.

This reaction comes in the wake of a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, where a group of women and youths, allegedly from Zamfara, accused Matawalle of contributing to insecurity in the state during his tenure.

HURIWA, however, asserted that these claims were part of a political strategy to discredit the minister and destabilise the current administration. Speaking to journalists, the national coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, alleged that the Zamfara State government was using certain groups to target the minister with false accusations.

Regarding the protest, HURIWA cited comments from Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who had previously dismissed the allegations as baseless.

HURIWA called on the DSS to exercise caution when handling politically sensitive matters, urging the agency not to conduct investigations without credible evidence. The group urged the DSS to focus on implementing effective security measures in Zamfara rather than being swayed by politically motivated probes.

The association stressed that the DSS should prioritise collaboration with other security agencies to address Zamfara’s challenges rather than pursuing divisive actions based on unverified allegations. HURIWA reminded the public that President Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle was informed by thorough security assessments.

Reaffirming its commitment to defending public officials from baseless accusations, HURIWA called on all political actors to prioritise the safety and welfare of Nigerians above divisive agendas. The group warned that sustainable peace can only be achieved if security remains a collective priority.

“HURIWA believes that only through unity and adherence to verified information can Nigeria overcome its security challenges and build a stable and secure nation for all citizens,” the group stated.