El-Rufai Stoked Controversy Claiming Ribadu’s Phone Was Bugged
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has ignited a national controversy by alleging that the phone of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu was illegally bugged, prompting calls for investigation, prosecution, and raising concerns over security ahead of the 2027 elections.
El-Rufai claimed he intercepted a conversation in which Ribadu allegedly ordered his arrest upon returning to Abuja. He suggested that the NSA’s phone had been tapped, a claim he admitted, if true, would breach national security protocols. “Someone tapped his phone,” El-Rufai said, adding that such surveillance is common among government agencies, though technically illegal. The Presidency swiftly reacted, calling for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution of El-Rufai. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga described the revelations as a serious threat to national security and warned against the public disclosure of sensitive information. Political commentators and civil society groups have expressed alarm over the allegations. Observers warn that the controversy could erode public trust in Nigeria’s security institutions and compromise intelligence operations, particularly with general elections scheduled for 2027. Legal experts note that unauthorized interception of communications violates Nigerian law, which mandates court authorization for such surveillance. If proven, El-Rufai’s admission could attract both criminal and administrative sanctions. The row has also strained relations between El-Rufai and NSA Ribadu, with the former accusing the NSA of political persecution, a claim Ribadu has denied. Civil society organisations are calling for transparency and an independent inquiry to safeguard national security and uphold the rule of law.
