A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that he monitored the telephone conversations of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, describing such an act as beyond El-Rufai’s capacity.
Amaechi made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Eagle, where he reacted to reports that El-Rufai had admitted to listening to Ribadu’s phone conversations. The claim has sparked widespread reactions across the country, with many raising concerns about privacy, abuse of power, and the state of Nigeria’s security institutions.
The controversy began after El-Rufai reportedly said he and others had tapped the NSA’s phone and listened to his conversations. The statement quickly drew criticism from several quarters, including the Presidency, which has yet to issue a detailed official response but is believed to be reviewing the implications of such allegations.
Responding to questions during the interview, Amaechi expressed strong doubts about the authenticity of El-Rufai’s claim.
“I doubt that El-Rufai said he hacked NSA Nuhu Ribadu’s phone. He doesn’t have the capacity to do so,” Amaechi said.
Instead, the former Minister of Transportation turned the accusation around, alleging that it is the office of the NSA that is monitoring the communications of political actors and citizens.
“It’s the NSA’s office that is listening to our calls,” he stated.
Amaechi went further to accuse Ribadu of using his position to pursue political interests ahead of future elections. According to him, the NSA is allegedly positioning himself for political influence in both the 2027 and 2031 election cycles.
“Ribadu is busy arresting everybody. He’s planning double elections. He’s planning for himself in 2031 and also for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election,” Amaechi alleged.
He also claimed that the NSA was working to weaken opposition parties, particularly the ADC, by creating internal divisions and supporting rival factions.
“All he’s doing is setting up parties to fight the ADC. He has his own fake ADC. Just go to court, he has so many ADC cases with small boys he has bought cars for,” Amaechi said.
He concluded by advising Ribadu to focus on his official responsibilities rather than political ambitions.
“The man needs to rest. If he thinks there won’t be proper elections in 2027, he’s wasting his time. He should focus on his security job,” he added
Background to the Controversy
The unfolding dispute highlights growing tensions among Nigeria’s political elite as the country gradually moves towards another election cycle. Although the 2027 general elections are still some distance away, political alignments and rivalries are already becoming more visible.
Phone tapping and surveillance have long been sensitive issues in Nigeria, often associated with concerns about human rights, abuse of power, and lack of oversight. While security agencies are permitted under certain legal frameworks to conduct surveillance for national security purposes, such actions are expected to follow due process and be subject to judicial approval.
However, allegations of illegal surveillance or politically motivated monitoring have surfaced repeatedly in the past, often without clear resolution. Civil society organisations have frequently called for greater transparency and stronger safeguards to prevent misuse of security apparatus.
The latest claims involving El-Rufai and Ribadu have therefore reignited public debate about the extent of surveillance powers in Nigeria and who controls them
Amaechi’s comments also reflect deeper political divisions within Nigeria’s ruling and opposition circles. Once key figures within the same political camp, many of the actors now appear to be repositioning ahead of future contests.
His reference to “fake ADC” factions points to ongoing internal disputes within political parties, a common feature of Nigeria’s political landscape. Party fragmentation, court cases, and leadership tussles have historically influenced election outcomes and weakened opposition cohesion.
Analysts say such accusations, if left unaddressed, could further erode public trust in both political institutions and the electoral process.
With political activities expected to intensify in the coming months, the controversy serves as an early sign of what could become a heated pre-election environment. Issues of surveillance, political neutrality of security agencies, and internal party conflicts are likely to dominate discussions as 2027 approaches.
For now, Amaechi’s remarks have added another layer to an already complex political narrative, raising fresh questions about power, accountability, and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
