Presidency Seeks Probe After El-Rufai’s Wiretap Confession

Fresh controversy has erupted in political circles following comments by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, alleging that the telephone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was secretly intercepted.

Presidential aide, alongside former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje, have demanded an investigation into the remarks. They argue that El-Rufai’s statements on national television amount to an admission serious enough to warrant scrutiny and possible legal action.

During an appearance on Arise TV on Friday, El-Rufai claimed he became aware of an alleged directive to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria through information obtained from what he described as a tapped conversation involving the NSA.

“Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me.

“That technically is illegal. I know, but the government does it all the time. They listen to our calls all the time without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” he said.

The revelation has heightened tension within security and political circles, with observers warning that, if verified, such interception would represent a significant breach of national security protocols and could deepen divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the claims on his X account, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, wrote, wrote, “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.”

In a related development, former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje has also demanded that Nasir El-Rufai be investigated after being accused of involvement in the disappearance of Kaduna-based activist, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

Ganduje, through a statement issued on Saturday by former Kano Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, dismissed the claim as “reckless and unfounded,” describing it as an attempt to deflect blame for an incident that took place solely within Kaduna State.

Over the years, sections of social media users had pointed accusing fingers at El-Rufai, who was serving as Kaduna governor at the time of the activist’s disappearance.

Responding to the matter during his appearance on Arise Television, El-Rufai rejected suggestions that Dadiyata was targeted for criticising his administration, insisting instead that the activist had been a consistent critic of Ganduje’s government.