The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has rejected recent accusations against Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, labeling them baseless and politically driven. This follows a protest at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, where women and youths from Zamfara alleged that Matawalle’s tenure had escalated insecurity in the state. HURIWA contends that these allegations are an orchestrated effort to tarnish Matawalle’s reputation and disrupt the administration’s stability.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, HURIWA highlighted that a faction called APC AKIDA, led by Mr. Tijjani Ramallan, has been identified as the group allegedly used by the Zamfara State government to attack Matawalle. HURIWA noted that insiders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja regard APC AKIDA as a rogue faction within the party, aimed at undermining Matawalle’s standing, especially given his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu.
HURIWA pointed to statements by Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, who dismissed the allegations against Matawalle as unfounded. Onanuga confirmed that investigations by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) found no link between Matawalle and bandit activities. He added that these thorough security assessments informed President Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle.
The association also referenced a recent Kano High Court ruling that barred Governor Dauda Lawal, his allies, and specific media organizations from publishing defamatory content about Matawalle. According to the court order, media platforms like Vision Media Services Ltd and Liberty Radio are restrained from associating Matawalle with criminal activities until a final judgment is reached. Henshaw Ogubike, the Ministry of Defense’s Director of Information and Public Relations, affirmed that the court’s ruling aims to prevent the spread of damaging falsehoods.
HURIWA criticized Governor Lawal’s actions, claiming they serve to distract from real security challenges in Zamfara. The group underscored that such political games disrupt security coordination, diverting attention away from pressing threats. It also highlighted suspicions that Lawal’s smear campaign was a ploy to weaken Matawalle’s influence amid rumors of a cabinet reshuffle.
The association called on the DSS to handle politically sensitive matters with caution and to focus its efforts on genuine security concerns in Zamfara, rather than politically motivated allegations. HURIWA stressed the need for the DSS to work collaboratively with other agencies to address the state’s security issues, rather than pursuing unverified claims.
HURIWA urged Nigerians to be skeptical of narratives driven by political interests, reminding the public that President Tinubu’s support for Matawalle is grounded in substantial security evaluations. It emphasized the importance of respecting the law, as demonstrated by the Kano High Court’s recent injunction, which seeks to curb baseless defamatory content.
READ ALSO: HURIWA Backs Matawalle, Lauds Defense Ministry’s Achievements
In its closing remarks, HURIWA reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the integrity of public officials against unfounded accusations. The organization urged political figures to prioritize Nigeria’s security over divisive agendas, warning that unity and evidence-based discussions are key to overcoming the country’s security challenges.
