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INEC launches probe into alleged leak of voter registration data linked to Minister’s aide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced an investigation into the controversy surrounding the publication of voter registration information allegedly linked to Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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The commission’s response follows widespread criticism on social media after Olayinka shared details relating to Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike, who recently declared his intention to contest the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the FCT under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Olayinka had mocked the actor over his voter registration history, claiming that Ike initially registered in Imo State before transferring his voter registration to the FCT on May 15. The post was accompanied by screenshots that many social media users alleged were obtained from INEC’s administrative portal, raising concerns about the security of voter information and how such data became publicly available.

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Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Tuesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed that the commission had begun a detailed inquiry into the matter.

“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to allegations currently circulating on social media and in some sections of the media regarding the alleged unauthorised access to the Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database and the subsequent publication of information on a candidate in the recent primaries of a political party in the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement read.

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Haruna said the commission moved swiftly to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

“The Commission takes this allegation seriously and has immediately commenced a thorough investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident,” he stated.

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According to INEC, access to parts of the Continuous Voter Registration system was granted only to authorised registration officers participating in the ongoing nationwide CVR exercise. The commission stressed that such access was limited to official responsibilities, including registering new voters, processing transfer requests and updating voter records.

The electoral body revealed that preliminary findings from its audit trail had helped investigators identify the specific user account through which the information was accessed.

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“The audit trail from the preliminary investigation has enabled the Commission to identify the user account through which the information was accessed. Accordingly, relevant personnel have been questioned, and all units connected with the incident are cooperating fully with the investigation,” the statement added.

INEC said it was examining all technical, administrative and operational aspects of the case to determine whether any internal access-control protocols were violated and to establish individual responsibility before disciplinary measures are taken.

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The commission, however, dismissed speculation that its database had been hacked or compromised by external actors.

“Preliminary findings from the Commission’s audit trail so far, however, indicate that there was no external breach of the CVR database, no hacking incident, and no unauthorised external access to the Commission’s ICT infrastructure. Rather, the information in question was accessed through valid user credentials assigned to personnel participating in the ongoing CVR exercise but released without authority,” Haruna said.

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INEC further clarified that the investigation concerns the retrieval of a single voter record and does not suggest a wider compromise of its voter registration infrastructure or the personal information of more than 90 million registered voters nationwide.

Reaffirming its commitment to data protection, the commission said, “The Commission wishes to state categorically that it takes the security, confidentiality and integrity of voter data with the utmost seriousness and remains committed to transparency, institutional integrity, and the protection of voters’ personal information.”

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The commission also disclosed that the Department of State Services has independently opened an investigation into the matter and pledged full cooperation with security agencies.

“Furthermore, the Department of State Services (DSS), on its own accord, has commenced an independent investigation into the matter. The Commission will continue to cooperate fully with all relevant security agencies and will not hesitate to refer any person found culpable for appropriate legal action,” the statement added.

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INEC urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions while investigations remain ongoing, assuring Nigerians that the outcome of the probe and any actions taken would be made public in due course.

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Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men

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Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men

The Anambra Government has vowed to get justice for a 16-year old girl (name withheld) over alleged sexual molestation by eight men including her guardian.
The incident occurred in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, made this known during an interaction with newsmen on Thursday in Awka.
“The teenager, who was severely raped by these men is now two months pregnant, according to medical report presented by a concerned priest from Nawfia, who reported the case.
“Therefore, the ministry must stand for this helpless girl,” she said.
Onyekesi decried a situation where adults who are supposed to protect young people take advantage of them, especially to the level of sexual molestation and exploitation.
She assured the safety of the girl and encouraged men to protect women, especially young girls rather than take advantage of them, in order to build a better society.
According to the teenager brought to the office of the commissioner, her guardian forces himself on her every night and later other men join in the act.
She said that with the help of a good samaritan, she was rescued a week ago from the abuse and brought to the ministry.
Asked about the wife of her guardian, she said the wife was sick with stroke, while her sons and daughters were all grown and some married.
She informed the commissioner that the police had arrested two persons out of the eight suspects that allegedly molested her.
She said that the case was before the Nawfia police station. (NAN)

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I accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opens up

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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.

Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.

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According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.

Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”

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He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.

“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.

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He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.

“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.

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The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.

However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.

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Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.

Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”

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He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.

“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.

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Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.

“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.

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Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.

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accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up

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accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.

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Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.

According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.

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Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”

He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.

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“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.

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“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.

The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.

Advertisement

However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.

Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.

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Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”

He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.

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“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.

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“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.

Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.

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