Senator Ali Ndume has alleged that the Nigerian government is tracking his phone conversations, raising fresh concerns over surveillance and the country’s security priorities.
The lawmaker made the claim on Thursday during an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television. Ndume said he had been repeatedly cautioned to be mindful of his phone conversations because they were reportedly under surveillance.
When asked directly if his calls were being monitored, the senator confirmed the claim but described the situation as secondary compared to Nigeria’s broader security challenges.
Ndume questioned the effectiveness of security agencies in tackling terrorism and criminal activities despite their alleged ability to track public figures. He cited cases where terrorists and bandits openly broadcast their operations on social media platforms like TikTok.
“You see these criminals posting their violent acts online and then vanishing. If politicians’ calls can be monitored, I wonder why security agencies cannot trace the perpetrators,” he said.
He added: “I have been warned multiple times to watch what I say on the phone. If I, a public figure, am under surveillance, it makes one question why our intelligence services struggle to track terrorists’ movements.”
Asked if he viewed the monitoring as a problem, Ndume replied, “Yes, my phone is being monitored, but it does not bother me. The nation faces far bigger security concerns, so this is not a major issue.”