Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern over an alleged unauthorised disclosure of voter information from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warning that the incident could undermine public confidence in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the reported breach of INEC’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database raises serious questions about the security and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. He argued that the incident has placed the credibility of the 2027 polls “on trial” even before the official campaign season begins.
The former vice president’s reaction followed reports that voter information linked to a candidate in a recent political party primary election in the Federal Capital Territory was accessed and published without authorisation. INEC has since confirmed that it is investigating the matter.
According to Atiku, while the electoral commission stated that there was no external cyberattack on its systems, its acknowledgement that sensitive voter data was accessed through valid credentials raises concerns about internal controls and data protection measures. He called for a transparent investigation and accountability for anyone found responsible.
INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the commission had commenced a thorough probe into the allegations. The commission explained that authorised registration officers were granted controlled access to aspects of the CVR database as part of the ongoing voter registration exercise and stressed that there was no evidence of a system-wide compromise or external hacking.
The commission added that efforts were underway to determine how the information was disclosed and to identify those responsible. Reports indicate that investigators have traced the incident to the use of legitimate access credentials by an authorised user, prompting concerns about insider misuse.
Atiku urged INEC to strengthen safeguards around voter data and ensure that Nigerians can trust the electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections. He warned that any perception of compromised electoral records could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and voter participation.
The development has sparked renewed debate about data security within public institutions and the need for stronger protections for sensitive voter information as preparations gradually begin for the next general election. Meanwhile, INEC has assured Nigerians that it will conclude its investigation and make its findings known in accordance with the law.
