February 14, 2026
The Presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a thorough investigation into an alleged confession by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over claims that someone wire-tapped Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga questioned the implications of the alleged admission and urged relevant authorities to take action.
Onanuga said El-Rufai’s reported remarks suggested the possible existence of illegal surveillance capabilities outside official security structures.
“Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities? This should be thoroughly investigated, and punishment meted out if necessary. No one is above the law,” the statement said.
El-Rufai was quoted during an interview on Arise TV as claiming that he and his associates became aware of an alleged order to arrest him after someone tapped Ribadu’s phone.
He reportedly acknowledged that the act was technically illegal but alleged that governments often monitor calls without court approval.
The controversy follows an earlier incident in which El-Rufai alleged that Ribadu was behind a failed attempt by operatives of the Department of State Services to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The claim was made by his media aide, who said security agents approached the former governor shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who visited El-Rufai, condemned the alleged incident, describing it as an embarrassment not only to the former governor but to Nigeria as a whole.
El-Rufai has yet to respond publicly to the Presidency’s latest call for investigation.
