The United States chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group (NDMG‑USA) has warned that it will pursue legal action in the United States against Florida state Representative Kimberly Daniels unless she retracts recent comments linking the Sultan of Sokoto to Nigeria’s insecurity crisis and calling for the removal of Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle.
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by NDMG‑USA President Cosmas Collins, the group described Daniels’ remarks as “deeply offensive, unsubstantiated and diplomatically reckless.” The statement says the group will file a lawsuit if the lawmaker does not issue a full retraction and apology.
Representative Daniels, a Democrat representing Florida’s 14th District, recently urged President Bola Tinubu to dismiss Defence Minister Matawalle and accused the Sultan of Sokoto of being complicit in the violence affecting northern Nigeria.
Collins said the group was “particularly alarmed by what it described as a direct and unjustified attack on the Sultan,” emphasizing the traditional ruler’s role in promoting peace and inter‑religious harmony. “The Sultan of Sokoto is a symbol of unity and moral authority whose voice has consistently been deployed in the service of peace, dialogue and national cohesion. To allege complicity in insecurity without credible evidence is not only defamatory but an affront to millions of Nigerians who respect the institution he represents,” he said.
The NDMG‑USA statement added that the allegations damage Nigeria’s international image and could exacerbate tensions both locally and abroad. “These statements are false, damaging and unacceptable. We are prepared to pursue all lawful means within the United States to seek redress if a full retraction and apology are not issued,” Collins warned.
While acknowledging global concern over insecurity in Nigeria, the group urged foreign officials to base public commentary on verified facts and a nuanced understanding of the country’s challenges. “Security challenges in Nigeria are multifaceted and require collaboration, not sensational claims that misrepresent realities and target respected institutions,” Collins noted. He reiterated that the Sultan has consistently advocated for peace and conflict resolution, and that such contributions should not be distorted for political purposes.
NDMG‑USA called on international partners and lawmakers to engage constructively with Nigeria’s internal issues, stressing the need for accurate and respectful discourse. “Mischaracterisation of key national figures does not advance solutions,” the statement said.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s reputation abroad and to promoting responsible global dialogue on the nation’s security situation. Further developments will depend on Daniels’ response to the demand for a public retraction and apology.
