By Harriet Tornguvan
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it described as a coordinated smear campaign against the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, accusing unnamed actors of weaponising social media misinformation to score political points and undermine national security.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the association faulted the renewed circulation of an old video of Matawalle, describing it as a deliberate attempt to malign his character and portray him falsely as sympathetic to terrorists. HURIWA said the attacks were dishonest, malicious and driven by partisan interests rather than any genuine concern for accountability or public safety.
According to the group, the video being recycled dates back to 2021, when Matawalle was Governor of Zamfara State, and reflected policy discussions at the time aimed at de-escalating violence and protecting civilians trapped between armed groups and excesses by vigilante actors. HURIWA warned that reducing such complex security engagements to misleading soundbites years later amounts to calculated disinformation and incitement.
The association said it was intellectually and morally irresponsible to equate dialogue, conflict resolution efforts or intelligence-led engagement with endorsement of criminality, noting that modern counterinsurgency strategies globally recognise the importance of understanding the drivers of violence without legitimising it.
HURIWA also described the timing of the renewed attacks as suspicious, coming shortly after recent changes within the defence leadership. It argued that the resurgence of these narratives at a sensitive moment in the country’s defence architecture suggests an attempt to sow discord and weaken public confidence in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group maintained that the campaign against Matawalle bears the hallmarks of political vendetta, particularly by individuals unsettled by his continued relevance, loyalty to the President and influence in Zamfara State politics. It added that some of the attacks may be linked to calculations ahead of future electoral contests in the state.
Since his appointment as Minister of State for Defence, HURIWA said Matawalle has operated within established military and intelligence frameworks and has shown commitment to the collective security agenda of the Tinubu administration. The association cautioned against reducing national security challenges to personal scapegoating, stressing that defence operations are institutional responsibilities involving multiple agencies.
HURIWA further alleged that the attacks form part of a broader effort by political adversaries to undermine President Tinubu by targeting his close allies. According to the group, Matawalle has become a proxy target because of his reputation as a loyal and visible supporter of the President.
The association warned that the normalisation of cyberbullying, misinformation and character assassination against public officials poses a threat to democratic discourse and national cohesion. It urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism and orchestrated disinformation designed to inflame public sentiment and destabilise governance.
HURIWA also rejected calls for Matawalle’s resignation, describing them as baseless. It argued that an objective assessment of his political service and loyalty to the current administration should attract recognition rather than vilification.
“Rather than calling for Matawalle to be sacked, those genuinely committed to good governance should be urging President Tinubu to elevate him to a senior ministerial position,” the association said, citing what it described as his dedication, political discipline and loyalty.
The group called on security agencies to remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities and not be distracted by online narratives, while urging social media users to exercise restraint and responsibility. It reaffirmed its commitment to the defence of democratic institutions, the rule of law and fairness, warning that the weaponisation of misinformation ultimately undermines national security and democracy.
