Mallam’s open admission on national television that phones were tapped without a court order is deeply troubling. More striking was his claim that they monitored Nuhu Ribadu’s line to confirm he ordered his arrest at the airport. That is not a minor allegation; it raises fundamental concerns about abuse of power and the erosion of due process. On this issue, both sides bear responsibility.
Arresting Nasir El-Rufai would be one of the gravest political miscalculations of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Ignoring him may prove the more strategic choice. But desperation rarely allows for restraint, especially when political stakes are high.
El-Rufai is not an outsider speculating from the fringes. He is an insider who understands the system from within. When someone with that depth of knowledge speaks so boldly and returns to publicly confront mounting allegations rather than retreat, it signals that he is fully prepared for the confrontation.
He is not backing down. His tone and posture suggest readiness for a prolonged political battle.
That level of confidence points to one clear reality: there is more within his arsenal. His willingness to speak as he has indicates he is not operating from a position of weakness. There is substance behind the defiance. He has also directly linked Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to the unresolved disappearance of Dadiyata an issue that continues to stir emotions across the country. These are calculated statements, not careless remarks.
In many ways, Tinubu losing El-Rufai from within his circle of lieutenants may prove to be one of the most consequential developments for Nigerians. Without dissenting voices from within, power often grows unchecked. Whatever unfolds next, one thing is certain: this confrontation is far from over.
Shamsudeen Ibrahim
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Opinion