Atiku Calls for Accountability After Voter Data Access Controversy

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide clear explanations regarding the reported unauthorized access to information contained in its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database.

The demand follows reports that voter registration records were accessed through official system credentials and later disclosed without approval, sparking concerns about the security of sensitive electoral data.

INEC recently acknowledged that it had begun investigating the incident. According to the commission, preliminary findings indicate that there was no external cyberattack or hacking of its information technology infrastructure. However, the data in question was reportedly accessed using legitimate credentials assigned to officials involved in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Reacting to the development, Atiku said the commission's admission raises serious concerns about internal data protection procedures and accountability mechanisms. He argued that the disclosure of restricted voter information through authorized channels highlights potential weaknesses within the electoral body's internal controls.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stressed that the issue should not be treated lightly, noting that public confidence in the electoral process depends heavily on the security and confidentiality of voter information.

He questioned how information from a protected electoral database could have reached political actors and other unauthorized individuals, insisting that Nigerians deserve a transparent explanation.

According to Atiku, the absence of evidence of external hacking does not diminish the seriousness of the matter. Instead, he said it shifts attention to possible internal lapses that require urgent investigation.

The former vice president called for a thorough, transparent, and independent inquiry into the incident to determine how the data was accessed, who was responsible, and what measures would be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The controversy has renewed discussions about data security, electoral transparency, and the need to strengthen safeguards protecting the personal information of millions of registered voters across Nigeria.

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