By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has condemned former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over his alleged admission that he intercepted the phone communications of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Baba-Ahmed described the claim as an act of “sheer arrogance,” questioning why a former governor and prominent political figure would publicly disclose an alleged security breach involving a serving top government official.
Speaking on the MIC ON PODCAST, Baba-Ahmed was responding to questions on poverty in northern Nigeria, political influence and the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He referenced an interview El-Rufai reportedly gave on Arise TV in February, during which the former Kaduna governor allegedly said he had tapped Ribadu’s phone.
“Once you give money to Buhari’s people, you can have your way. That is why Nasir El-Rufai will come out and tell you that he’s tapping the phone of the security adviser,” Baba-Ahmed said.
He expressed disbelief that El-Rufai would openly discuss such an action, even if it had occurred.
“I mean, if not sheer arrogance from money you’ve spent, how dare, on earth, even if you’re drunk, would you say something like that?” he asked.
Baba-Ahmed further criticised the Buhari administration, alleging that financial influence played a significant role in determining access to political power and influence under the former government.
He also claimed that President Bola Tinubu recognised and exploited what he described as weaknesses in the political system.
“So, uncle (Tinubu) saw that weakness, and he exploited it to the fullest,” he added.
El-Rufai served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023 and was a prominent member of Buhari’s political circle. Baba-Ahmed, meanwhile, was the running mate to Peter Obi on the Labour Party ticket in the 2023 presidential election, in which the party finished third behind Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
