RismadarVoice Reporters, June 3, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have commenced investigations into the alleged unauthorised release of voter information from the commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database.
INEC disclosed that preliminary findings showed there was no external breach, hacking incident or unauthorised access to its ICT infrastructure. According to the commission, the information was accessed through valid user credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing voter registration exercise but was subsequently released without authorisation.
The electoral body explained that authorised registration officers are granted controlled access to parts of the system for official duties such as voter registration, transfer requests and record updates.
INEC said its audit trail had identified the specific user account through which the information was accessed and that relevant personnel had already been questioned. It added that investigations are ongoing to determine whether internal access protocols were violated.
The commission stressed that the incident involved the retrieval of a specific voter record and did not indicate any compromise of the personal data of over 90 million registered voters.
INEC also confirmed that the DSS had independently launched an investigation into the matter and pledged full cooperation with security agencies, noting that anyone found culpable would face appropriate legal action.
Reacting to the development, former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, called for a comprehensive investigation, arguing that INEC’s explanation raised more questions than answers.
According to Atiku, the admission that voter information was accessed using official credentials and later released without authorisation points to concerns about internal compromise and possible political interference.
He questioned how information stored within a restricted electoral database found its way into the public domain and insisted that the absence of an external cyberattack did not reduce the seriousness of the incident.
Atiku also referenced the role of Lere Olayinka, spokesman to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who publicly shared information that sparked the controversy. He argued that the matter has become a test of public confidence in the neutrality and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
The former vice president called on INEC to disclose the full chain of custody of the leaked information, including those who accessed, authorised, received and distributed the data.
The controversy emerged after Nollywood actor Emeka Ike threatened legal action over the alleged disclosure of his voter registration details from an INEC portal. The actor described the release of his personal information as a violation of privacy and criticised what he called the politicisation of sensitive electoral data.
Both INEC and the DSS have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that their findings will be made public upon completion.
