El-Rufai made the disclosure on Friday during an interview on Arise TV, alleging that he learned of a plan to arrest him upon returning to Nigeria through a leaked conversation from the NSA’s phone.

He said, “Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks they’re the only ones who can listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me. That technically is illegal. I know, but the government does it all the time. They listen to our calls all the time without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us he gave the order.”

His comments have raised alarm among political and security experts, who warn that, if verified, such an interception could constitute a severe breach of national security protocols and increase political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Onanuga: ‘He Is Not Too Big to Face the Law’
Reacting via his handle on Friday night, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, called for a thorough probe.

He wrote, “El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV. Does it mean that he and his collaborators have wire-tapping facilities? This should be thoroughly investigated and punishment meted out. El-Rufai is not too big to face the wrath of the law.”

Similarly, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described El-Rufai’s admission as deeply troubling.

Ajayi tweeted, “El-Rufai admitted on national television that someone tapped the NSA’s phone for him to listen to his conversation. When Charles Aniagolu, the interviewer, interjected that it was illegal, El-Rufai agreed. By the time he is asked to produce the person who illegally tapped the NSA’s phone, he might claim President Tinubu is a ‘tyrant’ persecuting him.”