Journalist at Sele Media Africa.El-Rufai Alleges Arrest Plot by NSA Ribadu, Cites Intercepted Calls in Escalating Political Dispute
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Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, ordered his arrest in what he describes as a politically motivated move, claiming the alleged plan was uncovered through intercepted telephone communications.El-Rufai made the accusation during a recent public engagement, intensifying an already tense political atmosphere amid shifting alliances and internal power recalibrations within Nigeria’s ruling elite. The former governor did not publicly release audio recordings or documentary evidence to substantiate his claims but maintained that reliable intelligence revealed discussions aimed at orchestrating his detention.Allegations Without Official ConfirmationAs of press time, the Office of the National Security Adviser has not issued a formal response to the allegation. Ribadu, a former chairman of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency and a longstanding figure in the country’s security and governance architecture, currently serves under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.The claim introduces fresh friction into Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly given El-Rufai’s influential role in northern politics and his prior alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Observers note that any suggestion of politically motivated security action—if substantiated—could raise significant constitutional and democratic concerns.However, without independently verifiable evidence, the allegation remains contested and unproven. Context: Political Realignments and Power dynamics El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has remained an outspoken political actor since leaving office. In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed subtle but consequential shifts in elite political alignments, especially among northern stakeholders and former governors. Security analysts caution that high-level accusations involving the National Security Adviser—whose office coordinates Nigeria’s intelligence and security operations—must be handled with institutional clarity to avoid undermining public confidence in national security structures. Political commentators argue that the episode reflects broader tensions within Nigeria’s ruling class, where post-election repositioning often exposes fault lines between former allies. Legal and Democratic Implications under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, arrests must be grounded in lawful authority and due process. Any abuse of security apparatus for political purposes would constitute a serious breach of democratic norms. Civil society advocates emphasize the importance of transparency, urging both parties to clarify their positions. Legal experts also underscore that allegations of intercepted communications raise additional concerns regarding privacy laws and intelligence oversight mechanisms. Media Coverage and Public reaction several reputable Nigerian and international media outlets have reported on El-Rufai’s allegation, framing it within the broader political context. These include: PremiumTimes, TheCable, Vanguard,Punch, public reaction has been divided, with some viewing the allegation as a reflection of intra-party tensions, while others call for evidence-based discourse and institutional restraint.The road ahead as Nigeria navigates evolving political alignments ahead of future electoral cycles, the allegations underscore the delicate intersection of power, security, and democratic accountability.Whether the matter escalates into formal investigation, public clarification, or political reconciliation will depend largely on the responses of the individuals and institutions involved. For now, the claims remain allegations without official corroboration.SourcesPremium Times; TheCable; Vanguard; Punch.
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