CITAD CALLS ON NIMC DG TO LEAVE APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr Bisoye Coker-Odusote, to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council over concerns about a possible conflict of interest.

CITAD said Coker-Odusote’s reported role as Director of Data Management in the APC campaign council for the 2027 elections could affect public confidence in the political neutrality of NIMC, which manages Nigeria’s sensitive national identity database.

The organisation stressed that it was not accusing the NIMC boss of transferring or misusing Nigerians’ personal data. However, it expressed concern that holding both positions could create the perception of partisan influence.

According to CITAD, political parties are expected to rely heavily on personal data for voter engagement and campaign activities as the 2027 elections approach.

The group said the head of an institution responsible for managing the identity data of Nigerians across political affiliations should not simultaneously hold a senior data role in a partisan campaign.

CITAD urged Coker-Odusote to either leave the APC campaign council or relinquish her position as NIMC Director-General, while calling for stronger safeguards to protect citizens’ data from political misuse.