Former presidential spokesperson Reuben Abati has called on Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to clarify how he allegedly obtained access to the restricted database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The controversy arose after Olayinka published voter registration details belonging to Nollywood actor Emeka Ike following the actor’s declaration of interest in contesting for a seat in the FCT House of Representatives.
His action sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning how a non-INEC official was able to access information believed to be stored on the commission’s restricted administrative platform.
Speaking during the “What’s Trending” segment of Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Abati said the concerns raised by the public were legitimate, noting that the portal in question was not accessible to ordinary citizens.
According to him, if an unauthorized individual was able to gain access to INEC’s internal database, it could represent a serious breach of privacy and potentially violate provisions of the country’s data protection and cybercrime laws.
Abati stressed that the platform was reportedly designed exclusively for INEC officials and protected by access credentials, making any alleged unauthorized entry a matter of public concern.
He argued that Olayinka, as far as publicly known, is not an employee of INEC and therefore should explain how he obtained the voter registration information.
The former presidential aide further supported calls for an investigation into the matter, insisting that INEC should provide clarification to prevent speculation and restore public confidence.
Abati warned that unrestricted access to sensitive electoral data could raise broader concerns about data security, privacy protection, and the integrity of the electoral system.
He maintained that both INEC and Olayinka owe Nigerians an explanation regarding the source of the information and the circumstances under which it was obtained.