US Lawmaker Accuses Bello Matawalle of Bribery Attempt to Silence Scrutiny on Insecurity

Fresh controversy has erupted around Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, following allegations by a United States lawmaker that he attempted to bribe American officials to suppress international scrutiny over insecurity in Nigeria.

Kimberly Daniels, a member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), made the claims in a widely circulated video, accusing the minister of orchestrating inducements and coordinated messaging to influence opinion abroad.

Daniels alleged that an unnamed American lawmaker was offered financial incentives to publicly defend Matawalle and counter her criticisms regarding Nigeria’s security challenges.

“I was told that an elected official was offered money to defend him and counter what I am saying,” Daniels stated. “If the allegations are untrue, why attempt to pay someone to speak on your behalf?”

She further claimed that she had been subjected to pressure and attempts to discredit her findings, which she said were based on investigations and testimonies from affected communities.

While maintaining that Matawalle is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Daniels insisted on the need for a formal probe.

“I am not fighting Nigeria or its government,” she said. “I am advocating for people who say they are under attack. This is about accountability and investigation.”

The US lawmaker also referenced alleged communications and promotional materials she claimed were linked to the minister, suggesting efforts to influence international perception.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Minister of State for Defence through the Ministry’s Director of Information, Henshaw Ogubike, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

The latest allegations follow an earlier report released on April 14, 2026, by Daniels in her capacity as UN-WCD chair, which raised concerns about escalating violence in Nigeria’s North Central and North West regions.

The report highlighted attacks in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states during the Easter period and questioned what it described as a gap between government assurances and the reality on the ground.

It also raised concerns over the leadership of the defence ministry, citing “credibility and integrity issues,” including past allegations linked to Matawalle’s tenure as governor of Zamfara State.

The document called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate reforms in the country’s security architecture, including a possible review of Matawalle’s position and a transparent investigation into the claims.

Daniels emphasized that her intervention was driven by humanitarian concerns, noting that her findings were supported by input from diaspora communities and international networks spanning the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

“I am speaking for vulnerable communities,” she said. “This is about ensuring justice and accountability.”

The development comes amid heightened global attention on Nigeria’s security situation, particularly in rural and agrarian communities affected by recurring violence.

Observers say the unfolding dispute could further intensify international scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of its security challenges.