The United States chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG-USA) has threatened legal action against Florida House Representative Kimberly Daniels over remarks linking the Sultan of Sokoto to insecurity in Nigeria and calling for the removal of Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
In a statement issued on Friday, the group described the comments as “deeply offensive, unsubstantiated and diplomatically reckless,” warning that it would pursue legal redress in the United States if a retraction is not issued.
Daniels, a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, had reportedly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Matawalle while making allegations regarding the Sultan’s role in the country’s security challenges.
Attack on Respected Institution
Reacting, NDMG-USA president Cosmas Collins said the remarks amounted to a direct attack on a respected institution, noting that the Sultan plays a longstanding role in promoting peace and interfaith dialogue.
“The Sultan of Sokoto is a symbol of unity and moral authority whose voice has consistently been deployed in the service of peace, dialogue and national cohesion,” Collins said.
The group said it is prepared to initiate legal proceedings in the US if Daniels fails to retract her statements and issue an apology.
“These statements are false, damaging and unacceptable. We are prepared to pursue all lawful means within the United States to seek redress,” Collins added.
Potential Impact on Nigeria’s Image
It argued that such claims could harm Nigeria’s international image and inflame tensions both domestically and abroad. NDMG-USA acknowledged that concerns about insecurity in Nigeria are legitimate but stressed that commentary from foreign officials must be grounded in verifiable facts and a proper understanding of local realities.
On Matawalle, the group noted that public officials are open to scrutiny but insisted that calls for removal should be based on credible evidence rather than what it described as unproven allegations.
“It is within the bounds of democratic engagement to question governance, but such interventions must be responsible and evidence-based,” the statement said.
The group urged international partners to adopt a more measured approach in engaging with Nigeria’s internal challenges, emphasising the need for accuracy and constructive dialogue.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s image abroad and promoting what it described as responsible global discourse on the country’s security situation.
