‘How dare you?’ — Datti condemns El-Rufai’s phone-tapping claim as ‘sheer arrogance’
Datti Baba-Ahmed, who served as Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, condemned former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai for claiming he intercepted the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Baba-Ahmed characterized El-Rufai’s remarks as a demonstration of “sheer arrogance,” questioning how a former governor could openly admit to tapping into the communications of a senior security official. He made these comments during an appearance on the podcast “MIC ON PODCAST,” where he was discussing the pervasive poverty in northern Nigeria.
In February, El-Rufai publicly stated during an interview on Arise TV that he had intercepted communications belonging to Ribadu. He remarked, “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 pondered the motivations behind El-Rufai’s decision to disclose the purported interception. He stated, “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?”
In addition to his criticism of El-Rufai, Baba-Ahmed launched a broader critique of the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, alleging that financial influence played a central role in access to power during that era. He referred to Buhari’s administration as “the most corrupt, immoral institution, organ in Nigeria,” suggesting that those close to the former president exploited their positions for financial gain.
Baba-Ahmed also asserted that President Bola Tinubu recognized the weaknesses within Buhari’s circle and took advantage of them. “So, uncle (Tinubu) saw that weakness, and he exploited it to the fullest,” he added.
El-Rufai was governor of Kaduna State from 2015 until 2023 and held a significant role in Buhari’s administration prior to the transition to Tinubu’s presidency in May 2023. Baba-Ahmed and Obi, representing the Labour Party, finished third in the presidential election, trailing Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
