Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called on Dr Bisoye Coker-Odusote, director-general, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to resign from her data management position in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
CITAD, in a statement issued at the weekend by Y.Z. Ya’u, executive director of the group, said Coker-Odusote’s reported appointment as Director of Data Management for the APC campaign raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
The organisation said the concern was linked to NIMC’s responsibility for managing Nigeria’s National Identity Database, which contains the personal and biometric information of millions of citizens.
According to CITAD, the sensitivity of the database requires NIMC to maintain a high level of institutional independence, political neutrality and confidentiality to preserve public trust in the country’s identity management system.
The organisation, however, clarified that it was not accusing NIMC of transferring citizens’ data to the APC or alleging that Coker-Odusote had misused personal information.
“Rather, the concern is about the potential institutional conflict and the perception of partisan influence that could arise when the head of NIMC simultaneously manages data for a political campaign,” CITAD said.
It noted that political parties were expected to increasingly deploy personal data for voter engagement, political profiling, digital targeting and campaign communications as the 2027 elections draw closer.
CITAD argued that allowing the head of an institution entrusted with the identity information of Nigerians to simultaneously occupy a data management role for a political party could undermine confidence in the neutrality of the national identity infrastructure.
The organisation therefore urged Coker-Odusote to withdraw from the reported APC campaign position or relinquish her position as NIMC Director-General if she chooses to remain actively involved in partisan campaign activities.
CITAD also called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory and oversight bodies to ensure that NIMC’s databases, technological infrastructure and personnel are not deployed for partisan political purposes.
It further demanded stronger safeguards to separate NIMC’s statutory functions from political activities and prevent the unauthorised use of Nigerians’ personal information for electoral profiling and targeting.
Political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 elections were equally urged to adopt lawful, transparent and responsible practices in their collection and use of personal data.
CITAD said its PAWSOM-Monitor initiative had been activated to monitor the possible misuse of personal information during elections and assess whether political parties and candidates have equitable access to national digital infrastructure.
The organisation said the initiative was first piloted during the recent Osun State governorship election and would be expanded as part of its preparations for monitoring the 2027 general elections.
CITAD maintained that resolving the reported conflict of interest was essential to protecting the institutional integrity of NIMC, safeguarding citizens’ personal information and preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s national identity management system.
