A political analyst, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, has described recent remarks by former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as one of the most serious political missteps of his career in public service.
Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Tuesday, Ikechukwu said El-Rufai’s statements were not speculative but categorical, particularly his claim that communication lines within the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) had been tapped.
According to Ikechukwu, the former governor went further to suggest that such surveillance capability was not limited to the government alone — a claim he said carries significant national security implications.
He stressed that breaching the privacy of a public office holder, especially where confidential information is involved, constitutes a violation of privacy and an intrusion into critical national security infrastructure.
“You have no right to violate anybody’s privacy if somebody is holding a public office,” Ikechukwu said. “Violating confidential information tied to that office is not just a privacy issue; it is an encroachment on the infrastructure of national security.”
The analyst warned that the statement could generate concern beyond Nigeria’s borders, particularly among neighbouring countries grappling with terrorism, including Benin, Niger and Chad.
Describing the remarks as “frightening,” Ikechukwu said the matter should not be treated lightly. He suggested that while the comments may have been aimed at gaining political advantage, they may have triggered consequences far beyond what was anticipated.
“It’s a matter of national security,” he said. “This is not something anybody should joke with.”
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