The Nigerian Communications Commission has responded to allegations, particularly those made on social media, that it leaked the tape of a phone call between Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Winners’ Chapel and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s director of public affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday that the organisation was not responsible for the audio leak because it was subject to the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 and “cannot track nor leak telephone conversations to anyone.”
The NCC claimed that it had received an influx of media inquiries and that it was publishing the statement to clarify the situation.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission 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 Communications 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 noted that it had reported the allegations to the relevant security agencies for proper investigation and necessary action.
It also restated 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; other extant Laws of the Federation; and global best practices.”
Obi was heard pleading with Oyedepo in the audio tape, which went viral on Saturday, to assist in getting his message out to Christians in the South-West and some regions of the North-Central.
He said, “Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara, this is a religious war.”
In response, Oyedepo said, “I believe that, I believe that, I believe that. If this works, you people will never regret the support.”
Valentine Obienyem, an Obi media assistant, reacted by claiming that the recording of his principal’s conversation with Oyedepo that was leaked was cut out of context.
In addition, Oyedepo claimed on Sunday that he never advocated for or spoke on behalf of any politician in the run-up to the general elections.
Oyedepo, while speaking to the congregation at the church’s headquarters, Faith Tabernacle, Ota, Ogun State, said, “I have never campaigned for anybody or spoken on anybody’s behalf and I will not do that till I go to heaven.
“There is no (political) party in this country that didn’t come to me for prayers and advice.”
