The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified the user account linked to an unauthorized access to voter registration database shared by FCT Minister’s aide, Lere Olayinka.
Last week, Mr. Lere Olayinka, the media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, shared private voting information of a candidate in the recent primary elections.
The data shows that the candidate, a Nigerian filmmaker, Emeka Ike was a registered voter in Imo State. However, he transferred his INEC registration to the FCT in May.
This incident led to massive calls for INEC’s intervention, with concerns of possible electoral manipulation following unauthorized access to private data.
In response, the Electoral Commission revealed that it has identified the user account through which the information was accessed.
Per the statement;
The audit trail from the preliminary investigation has enabled the Commission to identify the user account through which the information was accessed. Accordingly, relevant personnel have been questioned, and all units connected with the incident are cooperating fully with the investigation.
The Commission added that it is examining all factors associated with the matter to establish individual responsibility before taking actions.
Meanwhile, they stressed that there was no external breach or hacking incident. Rather, the information was accessed using valid user credentials assigned to INEC personnel for CVR purposes.
The incident under investigation relates to the retrieval of a specific voter record and does not indicate any compromise of the Commission’s broader voter registration infrastructure or the personal data of over 90 million registered voters,” INEC furthered.
Amid this, the commission noted that the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced an investigation into the matter.
Notably, the incident represents the latest controversy surrounding INEC in recent weeks. These issues continue to arouse concerns among Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
