A media aide to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, is facing public backlash over allegations that he accessed and shared sensitive voter information obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) administrative system.
The controversy centres on Lere Olayinka, who was accused by critics of posting screenshots containing voter registration details reportedly drawn from a restricted INEC web interface.
According to the report by Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the shared information appeared to include details of a voter’s registration transfer application, sparking concerns that the data may have originated from an internal INEC portal not meant for public access.
The incident gained attention after Olayinka shared the material while commenting on a voter transfer linked to actor and politician Emeka Ike, who is reportedly involved in political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The post immediately triggered reactions on social media, with users questioning how a political aide could have access to what they described as confidential electoral data. Some users alleged that the information suggested possible exposure of INEC’s backend or administrative systems, raising fears over voter privacy and data security.
Critics online have called for an investigation by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), to determine whether there was unauthorized access to the electoral body’s systems and whether any laws governing data protection were breached.
As of the time of reporting, neither Olayinka nor INEC has issued an official response to the allegations.
The development has added to ongoing public scrutiny of Nigeria’s electoral systems, particularly concerns around digital security and the protection of voter information ahead of future elections.
