The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has refuted reports of alleged complicity of the Commission to tarnish the image of the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, by tracking and leaking a controversial phone conversation Obi had with Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church.
In the audio conversation that went viral with mixed reactions, Obi was heard allegedly telling Oyedepo that the 2023 election was a “religious war” and urged him to mobilize Christians in certain parts of the country to vote for him.
Although Obi in the conversation did not appear to have incited religious violence, elements of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) condemned the said statement and insinuated he plotted to divide the people along religious lines, a very sensitive issue in a polarized country after controversial elections.
Spokesman of Peter Obi, Valentine Obienyem, had in a statement on Sunday, accused the NCC of complicity in leaking the audio, adding that the Commission had also plotted with the APC to track Mr. Obi’s phone calls in the last three years to see if he made any calls in support of the threat of interim government.
But, in a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Public Affairs of NCC debunked the allegations and urged the public to disregard it.
Part of the statement reads: “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: The Commission denies the allegations in their entirety. 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.
“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.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission denies these allegations and advises the public to disregard them.”
