NCC Denies Leaking Obi’s Audio Conversation With Oyedepo

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has refuted reports of alleged complicity of the commission in the leaked audio conversation between presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) Mr. Peter Obi and founder of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo.

In the audio conversation that went viral on social media, Obi was heard telling Oyedepo that the 2023 election was a “religious war,” and urged the pastor to mobilize Christians in parts of the country to vote for him.

Although Obi in the conversation did not appear to have incited religious violence, some politicians condemned the said statement, insinuating he plotted to divide the people on religious lines, a very sensitive issue in a polarised country after the February 25 presidential election.

In a statement yesterday, the director of public affairs at NCC, Reuben Mouka, debunked the allegations that the commission got the audio via phone intercepts and leaked it to Obi’s political opponents, an accusation it strongly denied.

Part of the statement read: “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.”