Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for a full, transparent, and independent investigation into the alleged unauthorized release of voter information from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that INEC’s explanation of the controversy has raised more questions than answers. He maintained that the matter warrants urgent scrutiny due to its implications for electoral integrity and public trust.

While INEC denied that its ICT infrastructure was hacked, the commission acknowledged that voter information was accessed using valid official credentials and later released without authorization.

Atiku said this admission confirms that sensitive electoral data was improperly accessed and disclosed during the ongoing voter registration exercise. He argued that the absence of an external cyberattack does not lessen the seriousness of the incident but instead raises concerns about internal safeguards, accountability, and possible political interference.

The former presidential candidate also questioned how information from a restricted electoral database allegedly found its way into the public domain through individuals linked to political actors.

He noted that the data was reportedly publicized by Lere Olayinka, spokesman to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and insisted that Nigerians deserve a clear explanation of how such information was obtained and disseminated.

Atiku said only a credible and independent investigation can establish the facts, identify those responsible, and restore confidence in the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.