The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the recent petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, describing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, HURIWA said the petition forms part of a broader, coordinated campaign to undermine a loyal ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group linked the smear effort to internal political rivals, particularly within Zamfara State, who are allegedly threatened by Matawalle’s growing influence and steadfast loyalty to the President.
Reacting to a protest staged at the EFCC headquarters by an unnamed group, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the allegations against Matawalle are the handiwork of “internal saboteurs” from the northern political establishment.
“This renewed offensive against Dr. Matawalle is nothing but a vindictive move by political actors unsettled by his key role in stabilizing Nigeria’s security framework,” Onwubiko said. “We were approached by forces loyal to the Zamfara State governor to malign him, but we refused.”
He added that other groups, including the Northern Sociopolitical Network, had claimed they were offered N200 million by the same elements to run smear campaigns against the minister but reportedly declined the offer.
HURIWA also expressed concern over the growing misuse of civil society platforms by disgruntled politicians posing as reformers, warning that such practices are damaging public trust and undermining genuine democratic accountability.
“It is no longer a secret that certain vested interests within the federal structure, especially those from the North-West, feel threatened by the visible and strategic positioning of Dr. Matawalle in the cabinet. These people have repeatedly launched media trials and recycled allegations to reduce his influence,” HURIWA noted.
The group further expressed concern that the EFCC risks becoming a tool for political witch-hunts rather than a neutral, evidence-driven anti-graft body.
“We must caution the EFCC not to allow itself to be used to settle political scores or to undermine loyal public servants who are actively contributing to national stability. These petitions are not new; they have been regurgitated with fanfare to serve sinister objectives. We urge the Commission to act only within the limits of verifiable evidence and due process,” the statement read.
While HURIWA acknowledged the need for accountability and transparency in governance, it emphasised that such principles must not be manipulated to serve parochial or ethnic interests.
The group recalled that this was not the first time individuals or groups had mobilized under questionable identities to orchestrate public outcries aimed at discrediting Matawalle.
“In May and September 2024, similar petitions were peddled, yet no credible or prosecutable evidence was advanced. Instead, we have seen a pattern—an orchestrated onslaught—that starts with petitions, followed by protests, and ends with media headlines, only to fizzle out without legal consequence. This has all the trademarks of a political vendetta,” HURIWA observed.
The human rights advocacy group also highlighted Dr. Matawalle’s notable contributions in his current role as Minister of State for Defence. According to HURIWA, since his appointment, the former Zamfara State governor has shown extraordinary commitment to national security reforms, military welfare, and civil-military cooperation, often embarking on field visits to frontlines and engaging with military commanders.
“His performance as Minister of State for Defence has been nothing short of commendable. He has brought a proactive and pragmatic style to military-civil engagement and has become a unifying figure in an otherwise tense national security framework. Those who fear his rising influence in the defence sector are the real enemies of progress,” the statement added.
The organisation expressed disappointment that the same political establishment that failed to combat terrorism, banditry, and insecurity while in power in Zamfara and neighbouring states now seeks to shift blame to Matawalle, who has been among the most vocal defenders of the President’s security policies.
HURIWA further recalled its earlier position that Matawalle’s undiluted loyalty to President Bola Tinubu has attracted the envy of anti-Tinubu elements within the government, who are strategically deploying diversionary tactics to pit the EFCC against him.
