Matawalle denies bribery allegation by US Lawmaker Kimberly Daniels

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ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has denied allegations by Florida legislator Kimberly Daniels that he attempted to bribe a United States official to alter the narrative of a report on Christian killings in Nigeria.

Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, alleged in a viral video posted on her official Facebook account that Matawalle offered money to influence the findings of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN‑WCD). “A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN‑WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she claimed.

She has previously called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Matawalle, accusing him of complicity in violence in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other states. The allegation surfaced publicly on 21 April 2026, coinciding with renewed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security challenges.

In response, Matawalle’s office issued a statement on 22 April through Ahmad Dan‑Wudil, his Personal Assistant on Media. The statement dismissed the claims as false and malicious. “It must be stated unequivocally that the Honourable Minister has never engaged in, nor would he ever condone, any act of bribery or misconduct. The allegations in question are nothing but baseless, misleading and do not reflect the conduct or record of the Honourable Minister,” it said.

The Defence Ministry stressed that Matawalle remains focused on his responsibilities and will not be distracted by what it described as campaigns of lies and calumny. “The public is therefore advised to disregard these misleading reports and unsubstantiated claims,” the statement concluded.

Matawalle reaffirmed his commitment to discharging his duties with diligence, integrity, and dedication to national service, insisting that the allegations are devoid of credibility and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.