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On Friday, tensions escalated as a coalition of groups from the Niger Delta publicly urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mandate an immediate investigation into former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for alleged comments that suggest a breach of national security.

The coalition claims that El-Rufai disclosed in a national TV interview that someone had tapped the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, allowing them to listen to private conversations. The groups characterized the statement as “deeply troubling” and “a direct assault on the integrity of Nigeria’s security architecture.”

The coalition contended that if such an interception had truly taken place, it would constitute a grave violation of Nigerian law, especially considering the sensitive nature of communications involving the Office of the National Security Adviser.

They emphasized that the NSA’s office plays a crucial role in coordinating intelligence and protecting the nation from both internal and external threats, warning that any breach of its communication channels could significantly impact Nigeria’s sovereignty and stability.

The signatories — Ifeanyi O. Blackson, Abbey Georgewill, Ediri Tare Ogheneovo, Nsika Okon Moses, Toritseju O. Menetie, and Akintoye Adedeji Prince — issued a joint statement in which they each called for El-Rufai’s arrest and a thorough investigation by security agencies.

Ifeanyi O. Blackson remarked that the supposed admission, if confirmed, constitutes “a grave violation of national security protocols.” He urged that El-Rufai be promptly summoned for interrogation by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Abbey Georgewill stressed that the integrity of Nigeria’s intelligence institutions must not be compromised for political ambitions. He called on the Federal Government to take firm action to reassure citizens of the security framework’s continued integrity.

Ediri Tare Ogheneovo characterized the development as “an alarming revelation” and emphasized that any unauthorized interception of NSA communications should result in prompt legal action, irrespective of one’s status or influence.

Nsika Okon Moses contended that the matter goes beyond party politics, cautioning that neglecting to probe it could create a perilous precedent in which sensitive state communications are handled lightly.

Toritseju O. Menetie urged for transparency in the investigation, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve to know whether such a breach happened and who was accountable.

Akintoye Adedeji Prince finished by calling on President Tinubu to show zero tolerance for any actions that could weaken national security institutions, emphasizing that accountability is crucial for maintaining public trust.

Additionally, the coalition urged security agencies such as the DSS and other relevant authorities to initiate a comprehensive and impartial investigation. Their insistence was for El-Rufai to furnish a detailed clarification that encompassed the identity of the person purportedly responsible for the phone interception and the context in which the information was acquired.

At the point this report was filed, there had been no official response from El-Rufai regarding the coalition’s demand, and federal authorities had not formally confirmed whether an investigation has begun.

The development has sparked debate across political and civil society circles, with observers warning that if not handled transparently and lawfully, the issue could deepen political divisions at a time when national unity and security cohesion remain critical.

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