Veteran journalist and Arise Television anchor, Ruben Abati, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently investigate how presidential aide Lere Olayinka allegedly gained access to a restricted section of the commission’s online system.
Speaking during a discussion on Arise TV, Abati described the development as troubling and said it raises serious questions about the security and integrity of INEC’s digital infrastructure.
According to him, the portal in question, identified as a backend administrative platform, is reportedly restricted to authorized INEC personnel and protected by login credentials.
He argued that if an individual who is not an INEC official was able to access such a system, the electoral body owes Nigerians an explanation.
Abati stated that concerns being raised by members of the public are legitimate, noting that access to a confidential database should not be available to unauthorized persons.
“If this is truly a restricted and password-protected platform meant only for INEC officials, then there must be answers as to how a non-INEC official was able to gain access,” he said.
The former presidential spokesman further maintained that Lere Olayinka should publicly disclose how he obtained access to the system.
He argued that failure to provide a clear explanation could deepen public suspicion about the security of electoral data and the transparency of the electoral process.
Abati warned that if privileged access is selectively granted to certain individuals, it could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
He stressed that electoral databases should either remain secure and inaccessible to unauthorized users or, if made public, be equally accessible to all Nigerians under clear guidelines.
He also pointed to potential legal implications, citing provisions of Nigeria’s data protection regulations and the Cybercrime Act.
According to him, unauthorized access to a protected government database could amount to a serious breach of privacy and cybersecurity protocols.
The media commentator therefore urged INEC to launch a thorough investigation and make its findings public without delay.
“The public deserves clarification. Lere Olayinka himself should explain how he came about this access, and the earlier that happens, the better,” Abati said.
His comments come amid growing debate on social media and in political circles over the security of INEC’s electronic platforms and the need for greater transparency in the management of electoral data, see more…
“Senate Is Not for Business Moguls, Face Your Business” – Nwebonyi Dismisses Rival’s Ambition
