The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has called for a comprehensive investigation into comments made by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over an alleged intercepted phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga described El-Rufai’s remarks as a “confession” and questioned the former governor’s alleged access to 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?” Onanuga wrote. “This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law.”
The presidential aide insisted that the claim raises serious national security concerns and should not be treated lightly.
Onanuga’s reaction followed an interview El-Rufai granted on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he alleged that he had listened to a phone conversation in which Ribadu purportedly “ordered” his arrest.
According to El-Rufai, “someone tapped” the NSA’s phone and made the recording available to him. Although he admitted that such an act is illegal, he argued that the government itself engages in similar practices without obtaining court authorisation.
“The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways,” El-Rufai reportedly said during the interview.
The exchange has sparked fresh debate over surveillance practices, legality, and accountability within Nigeria’s security architecture, with observers calling for clarity on the allegations and their implications for national security.