News reports that Daniels made the call in a Facebook post, citing a recent security assessment report which she said raised concerns about Matawalle’s performance and past tenure as governor of Zamfara State. She urged a leadership review within Nigeria’s defence ministry.

In response, the Nigerian-American Coalition for Strategic Stability said the comments risk undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and misrepresent the complexity of the country’s security challenges.

In a statement signed by its convener, Dr. Maxwell Akarachi, the group argued that insecurity in parts of the country stems from deep-rooted structural issues, cross-border criminal activity, and evolving threats, rather than the actions of a single official.

The coalition said it was concerning that a foreign lawmaker would take such a stance without fully understanding ongoing security efforts, adding that Nigeria has recorded some progress under Matawalle’s watch, including coordinated military operations and improved intelligence sharing.

It also warned against narratives it believes are aimed at weakening public confidence in Nigeria’s defence institutions, stressing that such matters should be addressed through local legal and institutional channels rather than external commentary.

While acknowledging the need for accountability, the group urged that allegations against public officials be handled through due process, not international pressure campaigns.

The coalition further called on international partners to engage Nigeria with accuracy and respect, and urged citizens at home and abroad to support national institutions in the fight against insecurity.