A United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, has accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to influence a US official with money to counter findings contained in a report by the United World Congress of Diplomats.
Daniels, a Democrat representing Florida’s District 14, made the allegation in a video posted on her verified Facebook page on Monday, which has since gained widespread attention.
She claimed the alleged inducement was aimed at shifting focus away from a report by the UN-WCD that accused the minister in connection with violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Maintaining her position, Daniels said she would not be pressured into backing down from speaking out on what she described as the killing of Christians across parts of the country.
“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.
Daniels, who also serves as chairperson of the UN-WCD, had previously urged President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle, citing alleged links to violence in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna and other regions.
The minister has not publicly responded to the allegation.
Further detailing her claims, Daniels said her earlier statement on what she termed targeted attacks against Christians led to pressure from individuals she associates with the minister. She described these actions as attempts to undermine her report and solicit backing from US-based officials.
According to her, an unnamed American legislator was allegedly approached with a financial offer to publicly oppose her stance and defend Nigeria’s defence authorities.
She added that she has received what she described as evidence of communications tied to the minister, including drafted statements and promotional materials.
Daniels also argued that the alleged bribery move was intended to create division among US lawmakers, insisting instead that they remain united.
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