BREAKING: INEC Admits Its Personnel Leaked Confidential Electoral Information on NDC House of Reps Aspirant Emeka Ike to Wike’s Aide Posted by Dayo Dickson

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has admitted that one of its personnel was involved in the leakage of confidential electoral information concerning Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC  House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike to Lere Olayinka, an aide of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The admission follows growing controversy over alleged unauthorized access and handling of sensitive electoral data, which has raised concerns about the integrity of internal information management within the commission.

In a statement, INEC said its attention was drawn to reports circulating on social media and in parts of the media alleging unauthorized access to its CVR system and the publication of sensitive voter information linked to a candidate in recent party primaries in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Commission said it takes the allegation seriously and has already commenced a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to INEC, authorised Registration Officers were granted controlled access to specific components of the CVR system strictly for official duties such as registering new applicants, processing transfer requests, and updating voter records. It noted that such access is normally withdrawn after the exercise.

INEC stated that preliminary findings from its audit trail identified the user account through which the information was accessed, adding that relevant personnel have been questioned while all units connected to the incident are cooperating with investigators.

It clarified that the incident relates to the retrieval and release of a specific voter record and does not indicate any compromise of the broader voter database or the personal data of over 90 million registered voters.

INEC added that it is also reviewing technical, administrative, and operational procedures to determine individual responsibility and any breach of internal access-control protocols, while assuring that appropriate sanctions will follow for anyone found culpable.