By Bavoriat Clara
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it described as coordinated social media harassment and cyberbullying targeted at the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, following the circulation of an old video taken out of context.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the association said renewed attempts to portray Matawalle as a sympathiser of terrorists were dishonest, malicious and driven by partisan interests rather than genuine concerns for national security or accountability.
HURIWA explained that the video being recycled was recorded in 2021 when Matawalle was Governor of Zamfara State and reflected a policy approach at the time aimed at de-escalating violence and protecting vulnerable communities caught between armed groups and vigilante excesses. The group said reducing such complex security discussions to simplistic soundbites years later was a deliberate effort to misinform the public and incite hatred.
The association stressed that equating conflict resolution efforts, dialogue or intelligence-led engagement with endorsement of criminality was both intellectually lazy and morally reckless. It noted that modern counter-insurgency strategies globally recognise that understanding the drivers of violence does not amount to justifying it.
HURIWA further observed that the timing of the renewed attacks was suspicious, coming shortly after the resignation of the former Minister of Defence on health grounds and the subsequent appointment of General Christopher Musa as Defence Minister. According to the group, the resurfacing of such narratives during a period of transition within the defence sector suggested a calculated attempt to sow discord and weaken public confidence in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The association said the campaign against Matawalle bore the hallmarks of political vendetta by individuals and groups unsettled by his political relevance, loyalty to President Tinubu and continued influence in Zamfara State politics. It added that some of the attacks appeared linked to calculations ahead of future electoral contests in the state, where Matawalle remains a strong political force.
HURIWA maintained that since assuming office as Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle has shown commitment to the collective security agenda of the Tinubu administration, working within established military and intelligence frameworks. The group said attempts to personalise national security challenges through scapegoating ignored the institutional nature of defence operations and the shared responsibilities of multiple agencies.
The rights group also described the attacks as part of a broader anti-Tinubu campaign by political opponents who, unable to confront the President directly, have chosen to target some of his close allies. According to HURIWA, Matawalle has become a proxy target because of his reputation as one of the President’s loyal political allies.
HURIWA warned that the normalisation of cyberbullying, misinformation and character assassination against public officials without evidence posed a serious threat to democratic discourse and national cohesion. It urged Nigerians to distinguish between legitimate criticism and orchestrated disinformation designed to inflame emotions and destabilise governance.
The association dismissed calls for Matawalle’s resignation as baseless and unjustified, arguing that an objective assessment of his service would warrant recognition rather than vilification. It called on security agencies to remain focused on their constitutional duties and urged social media users to exercise restraint and responsibility.
HURIWA reaffirmed its commitment to the defence of democratic institutions, rule of law and fairness, warning that the weaponisation of misinformation against public officials ultimately undermines national security and democracy.
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