Isiyaku Ahmed
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has raised concerns over the appointment of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, as Director of Data Management in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.
CITAD, in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Executive Director, YZ Ya’u, described the dual roles as a potential conflict of interest that could undermine public confidence in the political neutrality of NIMC.
The organization noted that NIMC is responsible for establishing, operating, maintaining and managing Nigeria’s National Identity Database, which contains the personal and biometric information of millions of Nigerians.
It said the sensitivity of the database made its integrity, confidentiality and political neutrality critical to national security and public trust.
According to CITAD, the simultaneous management of data for a partisan political campaign and leadership of the country’s national identity institution could create an appearance of compromised neutrality, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
It said political parties were expected to increasingly rely on personal data for voter engagement, political profiling, digital targeting and campaign communication.
CITAD, however, clarified that it was not alleging that NIMC data had been transferred to the APC or that Coker-Odusote had misused citizens’ personal information.
Rather, it said its concern centred on the institutional conflict, perception of partisan influence and possible erosion of public confidence created by the arrangement.
“Can the head of Nigeria’s national identity institution simultaneously serve as a senior data official of a partisan presidential campaign and still command unquestionable public confidence in the political neutrality of NIMC?” the organisation asked.
CITAD maintained that the situation was untenable and called on Coker-Odusote to immediately resign from her position in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
It added that if she chose to retain the campaign position, she should relinquish her position as NIMC Director-General.
The organisation also urged the Federal Government and relevant oversight institutions to guarantee that NIMC databases, systems and personnel would not be used for partisan political purposes.
It called for clear safeguards to separate NIMC’s statutory responsibilities from political campaign activities and stronger protection against the political profiling, exploitation or unauthorised use of citizens’ personal data.
CITAD further urged political parties and candidates to commit to responsible, lawful and transparent use of personal data during the 2027 elections.
The organisation said its PAWSOM-Monitor initiative was designed to promote a fair, safe and rights-respecting digital environment by monitoring potential data protection and digital rights violations.
According to CITAD, the initiative has been deployed ahead of the 2027 elections to monitor the possible misuse of personal data for electoral purposes and assess whether political parties and candidates have unhindered access to national digital infrastructure.
It said the initiative was piloted during the recent Osun State governorship election.
CITAD added that the alleged conflict of interest involving the NIMC Director-General formed part of the issues being monitored as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The organisation reiterated its call for Coker-Odusote to either resign from the APC campaign team or relinquish her position as head of NIMC, saying this would help protect the integrity of the commission, safeguard public confidence and uphold political neutrality in the management of Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure.
