The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has said allegations against Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, that he fueled insecurity as governor of Zamfara State was politically motivated and false.
The group made the observation during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja describing a recent campaign which snowballed into protest to the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters against the minister as manoeuvres aimed at discrediting him.
Speaking during the conference, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko said the allegation was unsubstantiated and politically motivated.
The group’s rebuttal followed a protest at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, where a group of women and youth, purportedly from Zamfara claimed Matawalle’s tenure fueled insecurity in the state.
HURIWA argued that these claims were a political manoeuvre aimed at discrediting Matawalle and undermining the administration’s stability.
Onwubiko said a group which goes by the name APC AKIDA led by one Mr.Tijjani Ramallan is the one the Zamfara state government is allegedly using to unleash attacks on the person of Matawalle.
THE WHISTLER could not confirm the allegation from the Zamfara State government and the APC AKIDA was not available for comments but HURIWA said it learnt from the appropriate leadership channels of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja that this APC AKIDA was not authentic APC, because it is alleged that they are a rebellious group of APC.
“They are actually notorious amongst loyalists of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is apparent that they don’t want to see anything good about the current administration and are also afraid of Matawalle’s closeness and absolute loyalty to the person and office of President Tinubu,” Onwubiko said while speaking to journalists.
In response to the protest, HURIWA referenced statements from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, who previously addressed the allegations, dismissing them as baseless.
“Most of these are just mere allegations,” Onanuga had stated, emphasising that the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) conducted investigations and found no evidence to support claims of Matawalle’s alleged connections with bandits.
Onanuga had also confirmed that the NSA’s findings led President Tinubu to retain Matawalle, noting that the president is fully aware of the stories but concluded they are fabricated
Adding to its defence, HURIWA recalled that the Kano High Court recently issued a restraining order to prevent Governor Dauda Lawal, his associates, and certain media outlets from continuing a smear campaign against Matawalle.
“According to the court order, Governor Lawal, alongside media platforms like Vision Media Services Ltd and Liberty Radio, is prohibited from publishing defamatory content aimed at implicating Matawalle in banditry and other criminal activities, Onwubiko explained.
He said “the court order also restrained the Nigerian Police Force, among others, from engaging in actions that could harm Matawalle’s reputation pending a final hearing.”
According to him, “In an official press release, dated September 30, Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defense, underscored that the court’s decision was necessary to halt defamatory actions aimed at discrediting Matawalle.”
He said, “Ogubike remarked that the court’s ruling places the matter in the correct perspective and highlights that all parties involved should refrain from damaging an individual’s reputation without proof.
“He also urged the public to be vigilant against politically motivated narratives designed to defame officials who have dedicated themselves to public service,” Onwubiko said, quoting the statement.
HURIWA criticised Governor Lawal’s actions, stating that his accusations against Matawalle serve as a distraction from the pressing security issues in Zamfara State.
The group emphasised that politically motivated actions such as these smear campaigns hinder effective governance and obstruct collaborative security efforts.
According to the organisation, allegations unsupported by evidence distract both state and federal agencies from their primary duty to protect citizens from threats.
Onwubiko further highlighted that the accusations are driven by Lawal’s alleged attempts to diminish Matawalle’s influence within the government amid rumours of a cabinet reshuffle.
“By focusing on politically charged rhetoric, Governor Lawal risks disrupting the coordinated security strategies urgently needed in Zamfara and the broader northwest region,” Onwubiko stressed.
HURIWA called on the DSS to exercise caution in handling politically sensitive issues, emphasising that the agency must avoid becoming entangled in investigations without credible evidence.
The organisation urged the DSS to focus its resources on effective security measures in Zamfara, rather than on probes influenced by political motivations.
HURIWA asserted that the DSS should prioritise unity and collaboration with other agencies to develop practical solutions to Zamfara’s security challenges, rather than divisive actions based on unsubstantiated allegations.
As allegations continue, HURIWA urged the Nigerian public to remain cautious of information disseminated by parties with vested interests.
The association also reminded citizens that President Tinubu’s decision to retain Matawalle was based on substantial security assessments, not unverified claims.
In addition, HURIWA emphasised that the Kano High Court’s interim order reinforces the need for all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and avoid spreading defamatory content that lacks factual basis.
The association urged Nigerians to support a fair, evidence-based discourse that strengthens national unity and security rather than detracting from it.
It reaffirmed its commitment to defending the reputation of public officials facing baseless accusations, stressing that the focus should remain on collaborative efforts to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.