‘Explain Yourself’ – Abati Challenges Wike’s Aide, Olayinka Over Access To INEC Data Base

Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has challenged Lere Olayinka, Media Aide to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to explain the circumstances surrounding his alleged access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ’s restricted database and the release of voter registration details.

Naija News reports that the controversy erupted after Lere shared voter registration details belonging to Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, following his decision to contest a seat in the FCT House of Representatives.

Lere’s action generated online buzz, with many Nigerians questioning INEC about how the Minister’s aide gained access to its admin page.

Commenting on the development, Abati, during the “What’s Trending” segment of Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, said that concerns raised by members of the public were valid, noting that the portal in question was inaccessible to the general public.

Abati argued that if unauthorised persons could access INEC’s internal database, it would constitute a major breach of privacy and could violate the provisions of Nigeria’s Data Protection Act and Cybercrime Act.

He said, “People have expressed concern. Their concerns are valid as expressed. We’re told that it is a restricted portal open only to INEC officials, password-protected; if you don’t have the password, you cannot get there.

“In other words, it’s not a public website like the IReV portal, where you can go and check details about what’s included by INEC.

“So, if this is a restricted confidential backend, then, of course, it means that the secret database of INEC is open to unauthorised persons.

“Lere Olayinka, whatever, you know, is not an INEC official, to the best of our knowledge. We do not think that being a PA to the FCT minister, you know, gives him the authority to be able to egress in and out of INEC secret database.

“So for that reason, I think those who are calling for an investigation, they are very right, and we ought to know the outcome of that investigation.

“If that secret database of INEC is now open, it should be open to all of us, so that some people cannot have privilege. We should all rig elections if they want to make it public, otherwise it will be a breach of the privacy of the person involved.

“It will even be an offence under the Cyber Crime Act. We have a law, the Nigeria Data Protection Law. We have the Cyber Crime Act. People cannot gain privileged access to what is supposed to be the backend of INEC. It means INEC’s backend is open to everybody, so we call for the investigation. We call for clarification.

“Lere Olayinka himself should explain how he came about this, and you know, the earlier the better, so that the public doesn’t run away with a narrative that they can easily correct because it will then further raise questions about INEC.”