Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has recently become the center of multiple controversies and serious accusations, ranging from alleged authoritarian practices during his tenure to confessions of illegal phone tapping and accusations regarding the disappearance of an activist. These events have sparked widespread calls for investigations and accountability from various public figures and government officials.

The series of events began when El-Rufai himself described President Bola Tinubu as a "tyrant" following an attempt by Department of State Services (DSS) officials to arrest him at the Abuja airport upon his return from Egypt. He asserted that the government was persecuting the opposition. However, this claim was swiftly challenged by former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, who, in a post on X, labeled El-Rufai as a greater "tyrant." Sani alleged that during El-Rufai's governorship from 2015 to 2023, several individuals were jailed for criticizing the Kaduna State Government on social media. He specifically named Dr. John Danfulani, Mal. Nasiru Jagaba, Steven Kefas, and Segun Onibiyo as victims who served months in Kaduna Prison for their criticisms.

Adding to the controversies, El-Rufai openly admitted during an interview on Arise Television's Prime Time programme that he had accessed an intercepted phone conversation involving the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. In this alleged conversation, Ribadu reportedly "ordered" El-Rufai's arrest. El-Rufai stated that "someone tapped" Ribadu's phone, acknowledging the illegality of the act but justifying it by claiming that the government routinely engages in similar practices without court orders. He famously remarked, "The government thinks they are the only ones that listen to calls but we also have our ways."

This confession immediately drew strong reactions from the Presidency and human rights advocates. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, described El-Rufai's disclosure as a "confession" and questioned whether the former governor and his unnamed "collaborators" possessed wire-tapping facilities, calling for a thorough investigation and punishment. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, echoed these sentiments, highlighting El-Rufai's admission of illegality and predicting that El-Rufai would label President Tinubu a "tyrant" if picked up for questioning regarding the source of the illegally tapped phone conversation. Similarly, prominent Kano-based human rights activist, Abba Hikima, expressed grave concern, labeling El-Rufai’s admission as a "grave threat to national security and a brazen disregard for the rule of law." Hikima stressed that the NSA's position is sensitive and that unauthorized surveillance undermines public trust and Nigeria's security architecture, demanding immediate investigation and accountability for those involved.

Furthermore, El-Rufai's recent statements reignited the unresolved case of abducted activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who disappeared from his Kaduna residence on August 2, 2019. El-Rufai, during his Arise TV appearance, denied knowing or ever meeting Dadiyata. However, former presidential aide Reno Omokri disputed this, presenting "proof" that Dadiyata was indeed a critic of El-Rufai's administration. Omokri also pointed out that El-Rufai's son, Bashir, had allegedly celebrated Dadiyata's abduction, questioning El-Rufai's potential involvement and demanding answers for Dadiyata's family.

In a related development, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), firmly rejected El-Rufai's attempts to link him to Dadiyata's disappearance. Ganduje, through a statement signed by former Kano State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, described El-Rufai's allegations as "reckless, unfounded," and a clear attempt to shift responsibility. He emphasized that Dadiyata operated in Kaduna and directed his criticisms at the Kaduna State Government, not Kano. Ganduje called for a full-scale interrogation of El-Rufai by Nigerian security apparatus, suggesting El-Rufai seemed to "know something about the issues." He contrasted his two-term administration in Kano, which he described as tolerant of criticism, with the circumstances surrounding Dadiyata's disappearance in Kaduna. Ganduje also questioned why El-Rufai’s claim about a police officer confessing to Dadiyata’s abduction was not formally disclosed to investigative authorities earlier, reiterating that accountability must rest on facts and due process, not political blame-shifting.

The multiple allegations and admissions by Nasir El-Rufai have thus generated significant national debate and calls for stringent investigations into his past conduct and recent claims, highlighting profound concerns about governance, human rights, and national security in Nigeria.