CITAD Calls For NIMC DG Resignation Over APC Campaign Conflict Of Interest

• The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the resignation of NIMC Director-General, Dr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, from her alleged role in the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
• CITAD expressed concern that Dr. Coker-Odusote's dual positions create a conflict of interest and undermine public confidence in the political neutrality of Nigeria's National Identity Database.
• The organization emphasized that NIMC manages sensitive personal and biometric data for millions of Nigerians, making its integrity and impartiality crucial for national security and public trust.
• CITAD based its demand on public service rules requiring impartiality and separation from partisan political activities, especially as the 2027 elections approach.
• The group urged the Federal Government to establish safeguards to prevent NIMC resources from being used for partisan political purposes.

The integrity, confidentiality, and political neutrality of Nigeria's National Identity Database are paramount, according to CITAD, which views these aspects as fundamental to national security and public trust.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has publicly called for the immediate resignation of Dr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), from her alleged role within the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. This demand stems from concerns that her dual positions could severely compromise public trust in the political neutrality of Nigeria's crucial national identity database. The call comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lifted restrictions on presidential campaign activities, signaling the official start of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

CITAD, through a statement signed by its Executive Director, Yunusa Yau, expressed profound concern over reports of Dr. Coker-Odusote's alleged appointment as Director of Data Management for the APC's 2027 presidential campaign. The organization highlighted the highly sensitive nature of NIMC as a national institution, emphasizing its critical responsibility for establishing, owning, operating, maintaining, and managing Nigeria's National Identity Database, which houses the personal and biometric information of millions of citizens.

The integrity, confidentiality, and political neutrality of Nigeria's National Identity Database are paramount, according to CITAD, which views these aspects as fundamental to national security and public trust. The group contends that holding simultaneous roles—leading a national institution responsible for sensitive citizen data and managing data for a partisan political campaign—creates an undeniable conflict of interest. This arrangement, CITAD argues, presents a clear appearance of compromised neutrality, which is unacceptable for an institution of NIMC's caliber.

As the nation gears up for the 2027 general elections, political parties are expected to increasingly leverage personal data for various campaign activities, including voter engagement, political profiling, digital targeting, and communication strategies. CITAD firmly asserts that the individual entrusted with managing data for a specific political party should not simultaneously preside over an institution responsible for the sensitive identity data of all Nigerians. It is crucial to note that CITAD has not alleged any transfer of NIMC data to the APC or any misuse of citizens' information by Dr. Coker-Odusote; rather, their concern centers on the institutional conflict, the perception of partisan influence, and the potential erosion of public confidence inherent in such a dual role.

CITAD's demand is rooted in the fundamental principles governing public service, which mandate that public institutions remain impartial and distinctly separate from partisan political activities. The organization questioned how the head of Nigeria's national identity institution could simultaneously serve as a senior data official for a partisan presidential campaign and still command unquestionable public confidence in NIMC's political neutrality. CITAD concluded that this situation is untenable and requires immediate action.

Consequently, CITAD has urged Dr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote to promptly resign from her position within the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Alternatively, if she chooses to retain her partisan campaign role, the organization insists she should relinquish her directorship of NIMC. Beyond this, CITAD has called upon the Federal Government and relevant oversight bodies to ensure that NIMC's databases, systems, and personnel are not exploited for partisan political purposes. They further advocate for the establishment of clear safeguards to distinctly separate NIMC's statutory responsibilities from any political campaign activities, thereby protecting the integrity of the National Identity Database and upholding public service rules in Nigeria.

This situation highlights potential conflicts of interest for public officials in sensitive data roles and raises questions about the political neutrality of national identity databases. Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor how public service rules are enforced and advise clients on the implications of perceived partisan influence on data integrity, particularly concerning the upcoming 2027 elections.

Source: Reporting on Nigerian civil society concerns.