Isaac Samuel
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of ordering his arrest and alleged that the NSA’s phone conversation directing security operatives to detain him was intercepted.
El-Rufai made the claims during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, a day after he was reportedly involved in a confrontation with security officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Eyewitnesses had earlier reported that security operatives briefly restrained the former governor and seized his international passport upon arrival before escorting him out of the airport amid chants from supporters.
Speaking during the interview, El-Rufai alleged that he overheard a phone conversation in which the NSA directed that he be arrested.
“The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me,” he said.
He, however, provided no evidence to support the claim.
The NSA has denied similar allegations in the past.
Reacting to the interview, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, expressed concern over the allegation.
“El-Rufai admitted on national television that someone tapped the phone of the NSA for him to listen to his conversation. When the interviewer pointed out that this was illegal, he agreed. By the time he is invited to produce the person who illegally tapped the NSA’s phone, he would say he is being persecuted,” Ajayi wrote on Facebook.
Alleged plot involving Kaduna governor, ICPC chair
El-Rufai further alleged that Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Ribadu, and the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had conspired to abduct him.
“Let me tell you, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, the NSA and the ICPC chairman have arranged that I get abducted unfailingly today,” he claimed.
The allegations come amid heightened political tension between the former governor and some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following his sustained criticism of President Bola Tinubu.
El-Rufai was also questioned about the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who was abducted from his Kaduna residence in 2019 and has not been seen since.
He denied any involvement, insisting that Dadiyata was not a critic of the Kaduna State Government.
“Dadiyata lived in Kaduna, but he was not a critic of Kaduna State. We barely knew he lived there until his abduction. He was a critic of political actors in Kano at the time,” he said, suggesting that questions should instead be directed at figures in Kano.
The case remains unresolved despite repeated calls by civil society groups for an investigation.
The former governor also reacted to reports of a bill by some United States lawmakers seeking sanctions against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over alleged links to terrorism.
He dismissed the move as politically motivated and argued that scrutiny over the introduction of Sharia law in northern Nigeria should instead focus on Zamfara State, where it was first implemented under former governor Ahmad Yerima.
Despite alleging political persecution, El-Rufai said he would honour an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning on Monday.
“I have nothing to hide,” he said, denying any wrongdoing during his eight-year tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
Both the EFCC and the ICPC are reportedly investigating corruption allegations linked to his time in office.
