Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the full findings of its investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of information from its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said INEC’s recent explanation on the incident has heightened concerns and underscored the need for a transparent and independent investigation.
The former presidential candidate noted that while INEC maintained there was no external breach of its information technology infrastructure, the commission acknowledged that voter information was accessed through authorised credentials and subsequently released without approval.
According to him, the admission raises critical questions about the security of the electoral database and the internal controls governing access to sensitive voter information.
“At the very least, Nigerians deserve to know who accessed the information, who authorised its release, how it left INEC’s custody, and whether any political actors benefited from the unauthorised disclosure,” he said.
Atiku argued that identifying the user account involved in the incident is only the first step, insisting that the commission must provide a complete account of how the information moved from a restricted database into the public domain.
He further urged INEC to disclose the disciplinary actions taken against those responsible and outline measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The former vice president also expressed concern over reports that the information was publicly released by Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to Atiku, Nigerians deserve an explanation as to how information sourced from a restricted electoral database found its way into the possession of individuals associated with a serving government official.
He said the controversy has moved beyond the issue of a single voter record and now raises broader questions about the independence of electoral institutions and public confidence in the democratic process.
The former vice president also referenced recent political comments by Wike regarding the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the emergence of electoral information within the minister’s political circle has intensified concerns about possible political influence.
Atiku maintained that transparency remains essential to preserving trust in the electoral process, especially as preparations for the 2027 general election begin to gather momentum.
He welcomed the decision by the Department of State Services to conduct an independent investigation into the matter, expressing hope that the probe would be thorough and impartial.
The former vice president warned that public confidence in democratic institutions could be further weakened if concerns surrounding the incident are not fully addressed.
He stressed that the issue is not about specific individuals but about safeguarding the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system and ensuring that citizens retain confidence in the neutrality and integrity of institutions responsible for managing elections.
Atiku therefore urged INEC to make its findings public, insisting that openness and accountability are necessary to reassure Nigerians that the country’s electoral processes remain secure and free from political interference.
