In response to mixed reactions to a leaked telephone conversation between the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied allegations of telephone “tracking” and “leakage” levelled against it.
A Twitter user, David Eferode, had claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate who is now the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, allegedly bribed officials of the NCC and others $20 million to track Obi’s phone calls. Though the tweep failed to provide additional details to substantiate his claims, the post has attracted over 8,000 likes and over 4,700 retweets.
But in a Tuesday statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the NCC not only denies the allegations in their entirety but also stated that the provisions of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other extant laws of the Federation don’t permit it to “track” nor “leak” telephone conversations of anyone.
The statement reads, “The Commission has reported the allegations, which we take seriously, to relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.
“The Commission restates its commitment to discharge its responsibilities to the Nigerian people in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the NCA 2003; and other extant Laws of the Federation; and global best practices.”
On April 1, Peoples Gazette, an online news platform, published leaked audio of a telephone conversation between Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo on the eve of the 2023 presidential polls. In the now-viral audio, Obi could be heard allegedly imploring the renowned clergyman to appeal to Christians across the South-West to support his presidential bid, describing the election as “a religious war”.
Expectedly, the scandal was met with mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media, especially Obi’s supporters, better known as Obidients, who quickly dismissed the leaked audio as an attempt to discredit the 61-year-old politician. The Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, would later confirm that the audio is authentic but claimed it was taken out of context by critics.
Bishop Oyedepo also denies speaking to any group of people on behalf of any politician. The respected clergyman, however, didn’t state whether he spoke to the Labour Party candidate or not.
NCC’s full statement
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been inundated with enquiries by the media on allegations of telephone “tracking” and “leakage” made against the Commission by some individuals and groups in the social and alternative Media.
The Commission wishes to make the following clarifications:
i. The Commission denies the allegations in their entirety.
ii. By the provisions of the Nigerian Communication Act (NCA) 2003 and other extant Laws of the Federation, the Commission does not and cannot “track” nor “leak” telephone conversations of anyone.
iii. The Commission has reported the allegations, which we take seriously, to relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.
iv. The Commission restates its commitment to discharge its responsibilities to the Nigerian people in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the NCA 2003; and other extant Laws of the Federation; and global best practices.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission denies these allegations and advises the public to disregard them.