By Muhammad Mamman
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims suggesting that former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai could have tapped the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, describing such assertions as baseless and misleading.
Amaechi made the remarks while reacting to growing speculation surrounding alleged surveillance activities involving senior political figures. He insisted that El-Rufai neither possesses the authority nor the technical capacity to intercept the communications of the country’s top security official.
According to Amaechi, phone tapping at that level falls strictly within the remit of federal security agencies and requires extensive legal and institutional backing.
“People should stop spreading unfounded claims. El-Rufai does not have the capacity to tap the NSA’s phone. These are sensitive national security matters handled by authorised agencies, not individuals,” Amaechi said.
He warned against the politicisation of security issues, noting that reckless allegations could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s intelligence architecture and distract from more pressing national concerns.
Amaechi also urged political actors and commentators to exercise restraint in their utterances, stressing that unverified narratives risk escalating tensions and misleading the public.
The comments come amid heightened political manoeuvring and speculation within Nigeria’s political space, as key figures continue to trade accusations ahead of future electoral contests.
Observers say the latest exchange underscores the deepening rivalries among prominent politicians, even as citizens grapple with economic challenges and security concerns nationwide.
