EL-RUFAI FACES BACKLASH OVER CLAIM NSA’S PHONE WAS TAPPED
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is under mounting criticism following his claim that the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was bugged.
Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, El-Rufai alleged that he became aware of a purported plan to arrest him through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone. He admitted during the interview that tapping a phone without lawful authority was technically illegal but claimed such practices were common.
His remarks have sparked reactions from presidential aides, legal practitioners, and security experts, many of whom have called for an investigation.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, questioned whether El-Rufai and his associates possessed illegal wiretapping capabilities and urged authorities to probe the matter. Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, argued that El-Rufai’s televised comments amounted to an admission of illegality and should not be ignored.
A retired Director of the Department of State Services, Abdulrasaq Salami, described the allegation as “extremely grave,” warning that intercepting the communications of the NSA could expose sensitive operational plans and undermine Nigeria’s intelligence architecture. He called for urgent forensic reviews and classified integrity assessments involving key security agencies.
Another retired senior military intelligence officer cautioned that any confirmed breach could damage Nigeria’s international security partnerships, particularly intelligence-sharing arrangements with foreign allies.
Security analyst Kabiru Adamu noted that while the technological capability to intercept high-level communications exists globally, it is highly restricted and typically limited to governments or sophisticated intelligence actors. He warned that any investigation could be perceived as politically motivated as the 2027 elections approach.
Constitutional lawyer AbdulAzeez Rahman cited Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which guarantee privacy of communications and criminalise unlawful interception unless authorised by a court.
Meanwhile, former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje also demanded a probe, particularly after El-Rufai linked him to the unresolved disappearance of activist Abubakar Idris.
Through a statement issued by his former Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, Ganduje described the allegation as reckless and politically motivated, insisting there was no credible evidence tying him to the activist’s abduction.
Observers say the controversy has heightened political tensions, with analysts warning that the matter could further inflame the atmosphere ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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