The Presidency has called for a comprehensive investigation into comments by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai regarding the alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

In an interview aired on Arise TV, El-Rufai claimed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Ribadu’s phone after it had been tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.

“The government does it all the time. They listen to our calls without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” he said.

The remarks triggered swift reaction from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who warned that the allegations carry serious national security implications and must not be treated lightly.

“Nasir El-Rufai has confessed to wire-tapping Nigeria’s National Security Adviser on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities?” Onanuga queried in a statement issued Friday.

He added that the Federal Government expects security agencies to determine the authenticity of the claim and establish whether any laws were violated.

“This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. Nasir El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law,” the presidential spokesman stated.

The development has intensified debate around surveillance practices, privacy rights and the legality of intelligence gathering in Nigeria. Analysts say the case could test the limits of security operations and accountability among political actors if formally pursued.

As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai has not issued any additional clarification beyond his television remarks, while security agencies have yet to publicly confirm whether a formal inquiry has commenced.

Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Electoral Reform Committee, Monday Ubani, SAN, says the Senate’s proposal on the Electoral Reform Amendment Bill leaves room for error.

Ubani made this statement on Saturday while fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television.

He said that both electronic transmission and transfer involve manual collation that happens in collation centres, stressing that nothing has changed.

According to him, IREV is just for viewing results, maintaining that it does not calculate or tabulate results.

The lawyer added that the issue most Nigerians have with the Senate’s version is that there’s room for communications failure that can be illegally taken advantage of.

“The Senate proposed bill leaves room for electoral error. If there are differences, there will be a harmonization committee to look at those differences and come up with a harmonized version for transmission to the President for assent.

“And I’m very happy that the House of Representatives did theirs last year and then the Senate have actually also passed their own version and there are differences and then the committee will sit on Monday in order to harmonize that position.

“The position of the law, which is 2022 Act, was that it gave INEC the responsibility of issuing out a guideline or prescribing a guideline as to the mode of transfer.

“The problem with our electoral system has always been between the polling unit and the collation centre.

“The people have witnessed a situation where a different result will be declared at the collation centre, different from what happened at the polling unit,” he said.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says loving Nigeria means promoting free and fair elections, as well as rejecting vices like corruption, greed and division.

Obi said this on Saturday via his verified X handle as he sends Valentine message to Nigerians, stressing that the country needs love in action.

He said that Saint Valentine is a reminder that love is not just emotion but sacrifice, discipline, and commitment to what is right — honesty, compassion, respect, and devotion to the common good.


“My dear young people of Nigeria. This Valentine’s Day, let us celebrate with responsibility.

“To all Nigerians, let us renew our love for one another and our nation. Like a living being, a country flourishes when nurtured with care and dedication.

“Loving Nigeria means promoting fair elections, rejecting vices like corruption, greed, division, and mediocrity, and supporting only those with capacity, commitment, and character.

“True patriotism also means pointing out faults and proposing solutions, while promoting human and developmental values — justice, competence, transparency, and investment in education and healthcare. Where corruption destroys opportunity, integrity restores it; where division breeds conflict, unity fosters progress.

“On this Valentine’s Day, let us embrace love that strengthens families, communities, and our nation. A new Nigeria is possible when love becomes action,” he wrote.