Bashir El-Rufai has strongly defended his father, Nasir El-Rufai, dismissing claims that the former Kaduna governor admitted to tapping anyone’s phone and warning against what he described as a dangerous misinterpretation of his remarks.
Taking to X, Bashir said the narrative circulating in public discourse was completely distorted, stressing that his father only referenced intelligence allegedly volunteered by a third party not an operation he authorised or carried out.
“He did not say HE tapped anybody’s phone. He alleged someone else did and unsolicitedly shared the information to him,” Bashir wrote, cautioning critics against “trying to frame” the former governor.
The clarification comes amid mounting calls for scrutiny after presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga urged authorities to investigate the matter, arguing that statements suggesting access to private communications raise serious national security and legal concerns.
The controversy was triggered by El-Rufai’s earlier comments during a televised interview, where he said he had received information about a conversation allegedly involving the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The remark quickly ignited backlash, with critics interpreting it as an admission of unlawful interception.
Bashir, however, said such conclusions were unfounded and politically motivated, maintaining that his father merely relayed information brought to him and never claimed operational involvement in any surveillance activity.
The exchange has since fueled a broader debate over privacy, intelligence-gathering, and the responsibilities of public officials when referencing sensitive information in the public arena, with supporters insisting El-Rufai’s words have been weaponised, while critics argue the comments warrant clarification from authorities.
