Nigeria’s presidency has called for an investigation into claims by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that he had access to the telephone conversations of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made the call on Friday shortly after El-Rufai’s interview on Arise TV, in which the former governor suggested that Ribadu’s communications had been intercepted.
Presidency demands investigation
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga questioned whether El-Rufai and his associates possessed unlawful surveillance capabilities.
“El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?
This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” he wrote.
El-Rufai’s claim
During the television interview, El-Rufai alleged that he became aware of instructions to detain him after Ribadu allegedly made a phone call ordering his custody.
He claimed that someone had tapped the NSA’s phone and relayed the information to him.
“The government thinks they’re the only ones that listen to calls, but we also have our ways… Someone tapped his phone and told us,” he said.
The former governor made the remarks while recounting an encounter with operatives of the State Security Service at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Legal concerns
When the programme host pointed out that tapping the NSA’s phone would be illegal, El-Rufai acknowledged the implication but argued that government agencies routinely monitor communications without court orders.
The presidency has not yet announced whether a formal investigation has begun, but the remarks have intensified tensions between the former governor and the current administration of Bola Tinubu.
The controversy adds to ongoing political friction involving El-Rufai and federal authorities, with observers watching closely for possible legal or political consequences.
