INEC data Leak controversy deepens as Atiku Abubakar demands a full investigation into unauthorised access and release of voter information

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged leak of information from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration database, arguing that the electoral body’s latest explanation has intensified concerns over internal controls and institutional accountability.

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In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the controversy had moved beyond speculation about external cyberattacks following INEC’s admission that voter information was accessed through authorised credentials assigned to personnel involved in the voter registration exercise.

According to the former vice president, Nigerians deserve a clear explanation as to how information stored within a restricted electoral database found its way into the public domain.

“INEC’s statement has moved this issue beyond conjecture.

The Commission has now confirmed that voter information was accessed through credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing CVR exercise and that such information was released without authority,” Atiku said.

The INEC Data Leak controversy emerged after voter registration details allegedly sourced from the commission’s database circulated publicly, prompting questions about the security of sensitive electoral information.

While INEC maintained that its ICT infrastructure was not hacked, the commission acknowledged that information was accessed using legitimate user accounts and released without authorisation.

The electoral body also disclosed that the user account involved had been identified and that relevant personnel had been questioned.

Atiku argued that the absence of an external breach does not reduce the seriousness of the matter.

“The fact that there was no external hack does not diminish the gravity of the incident. If anything, it raises even more troubling questions about internal controls, institutional safeguards, and the possibility of political interference,” he said.

The former vice president also highlighted the role of Lere Olayinka, spokesman to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in publicly releasing the information that triggered the controversy.

According to Atiku, the central question remains how data from a supposedly secure electoral database ended up in the possession of a political appointee.

He further linked the issue to recent comments by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who recently predicted that Atiku would secure less than 10 per cent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku said the circumstances surrounding the incident have heightened concerns about the neutrality of institutions responsible for managing Nigeria’s electoral process.

“This is why the issue can no longer be reduced to the unauthorised disclosure of a single voter record. It has become a test of whether Nigeria’s electoral institutions are truly insulated from political influence or whether politically connected individuals enjoy access and advantages unavailable to ordinary citizens,” he stated.

The former vice president called on INEC to disclose the complete chain of custody of the information, including details of those who accessed, authorised, received and distributed the data.

He also welcomed the decision by the Department of State Services to launch an independent investigation into the matter, expressing hope that the probe would be conducted without fear or favour.

“The Nigerian people will expect that investigation to be thorough, impartial, and fearless. No individual, regardless of political influence or proximity to power, should be beyond scrutiny,” he said.

Atiku further urged the electoral commission to publish the full outcome of its internal investigation, warning that unresolved questions surrounding the INEC Data Leak could undermine public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The credibility of the 2027 election will not be determined solely on election day. It is being shaped right now by the willingness of institutions to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and independence,” he added.

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The latest development adds another layer to the growing debate over electoral transparency and data security, with political stakeholders closely watching the outcome of ongoing investigations.