Former Lawmakers: External Calls for Matawalle’s Removal Ignore Ground Realities and Could Undermine Nigeria’s Defence Strategy

The Former Parliamentarians Forum has dismissed recent calls for the removal of Bello Matawalle as “misinformed and dangerously reductive,” warning against the growing trend of external actors drawing sweeping conclusions about Nigeria’s security architecture without sufficient context or engagement with local realities.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its chairman, Hon Gabriel Idoko, the Forum said attempts to single out the Minister of State for Defence based on “selective interpretations of complex security challenges” risk undermining ongoing efforts to stabilise volatile regions across the country.

The group was reacting to recent remarks by Kimberly Daniels, a US lower house lawmaker, who had called for Matawalle’s removal following the release of a security assessment report examining violence in parts of northern Nigeria.

However, the Forum cautioned against elevating such positions into policy prescriptions, stressing that Nigeria’s security issues are deeply rooted, multifaceted, and cannot be reduced to individual blame narratives.

“It is both simplistic and counterproductive to suggest that the removal or redeployment of one public official would resolve challenges that have evolved over decades,” Moses said.

“Nigeria’s security landscape requires continuity, institutional memory, and coordinated leadership, not abrupt disruptions driven by external commentary.”

The Forum noted that since his appointment, Matawalle has operated within a broader defence framework under the administration of Pressure Bola Tinubu, contributing to joint military operations, intelligence coordination, and strategic engagements aimed at curbing banditry and insurgency.

According to the statement, while security challenges persist in parts of the North-Central and north-west regions, there have also been measurable gains in degrading armed groups, improving inter-agency collaboration, and restoring a degree of normalcy in previously inaccessible communities.

“These efforts are neither accidental nor attributable to a single office, They are the product of sustained coordination among the armed forces, intelligence services, and political leadership. Disrupting that synergy on the basis of unverified allegations would be a disservice to national security,” he said.

The Forum also raised concerns about what it described as the “internationalisation of domestic security debates without due diligence,” warning that such interventions, if not carefully handled, could inflame tensions and embolden non-state actors.

While acknowledging the pain and urgency surrounding recent attacks in some communities, the group emphasised that accountability must be pursued through established institutional mechanisms rather than public pressure campaigns.

“It is important to separate advocacy from accuracy. Allegations of complicity, especially at high levels of government, must be substantiated through credible investigations by competent authorities within Nigeria’s legal and security framework,” Kuta said.

The Forum further argued that Matawalle’s experience as a former governor of Zamfara State provides valuable insight into the dynamics of rural insecurity, community engagement, and conflict resolution in some of the country’s most affected areas.

“Experience in governance, particularly in conflict-prone environments, is an asset—not a liability. It enables informed decision-making and strengthens the capacity to respond to evolving threats,” the statement noted.

On the broader issue of protecting vulnerable communities, the Forum reiterated the need for sustained investment in intelligence gathering, community policing, and socio-economic interventions to address the root causes of violence.

Kuta also called for greater support for security agencies, urging stakeholders to avoid rhetoric that could undermine morale or public confidence in ongoing operations.

“Constructive engagement, not sensational demands, is what Nigeria needs at this critical juncture. We must resist the temptation to politicise or personalise national security challenges,” he noted.

The Former Parliamentarians Forum concluded by reaffirming its confidence in the current defence leadership, urging Nigerians and international observers alike to adopt a more measured, evidence-based approach in assessing the country’s security situation.