U.S. lawmaker Kimberly Daniels is facing legal threats from the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG-USA) over comments she made that implicated the Sultan of Sokoto in the Nigerian security crisis and demanded the resignation of Bello Matawalle, the country’s minister of defence.
Cosmas Collins, the US president of the group, issued a statement on Saturday describing the remarks as “deeply offensive, unsubstantiated and diplomatically reckless,” and threatening legal action in the US if the senator does not withdraw her accusations.
Representative Daniels (D-14) of Florida recently made statements in which she accused the Sultan of Sokoto of being involved in the instability in northern Nigeria and urged President Bola Tinubu to oust Matawalle from power.
In response, Collins stated that the organization was deeply concerned about the “direct and unjustified attack” on the Sultan, highlighting the essential role of the beloved traditional monarch in fostering religious tolerance and peace in Nigeria.
The Sultan of Sokoto has always used his platform to advocate for national unity, discussion, and peace, making him a symbol of moral authority and unification. “Millions of Nigerians who respect the institution he represents would find it insulting and defamatory to accuse him of complicity in insecurity without credible evidence,” Collins stated.
He went on to say that the group thinks the accusation is damaging to Nigeria’s reputation and could cause unneeded strife on a global scale.
“These claims are unfounded, harmful, and unacceptable. He warned that if a complete apology and retraction were not given, they would seek restitution through all legal methods available to them in the US.
Collins made the point that public statements, particularly those made by foreign authorities, regarding the security situation in Nigeria should be based on facts and appropriate knowledge of the country’s complexity, even while international worry over the country’s instability is reasonable.
Not sensational statements that misrepresent facts and attack esteemed institutions; rather, we must work together to address the complex security concerns in Nigeria. It is important that political narratives do not distort the Sultan’s accomplishments, which include his constant advocacy for peace and conflict resolution.
The organization emphasised the need of foreign politicians being restrained and putting an emphasis on constructive interaction rather than making public charges.
“International partners, we implore you to handle the internal difficulties facing Nigeria with the utmost dignity, precision, and truthfulness. He emphasised that solutions cannot be advanced by mischaracterising important national figures.
By fostering responsible worldwide debate on Nigeria’s security situation, NDMG-USA will continue to defend Nigeria’s image abroad.