NIMC DG Asked to Resign Over APC 2027 Campaign Council Appointment
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has called for the resignation of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr Bisoye Coker-Odusote, following her appointment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections.
CITAD, in a statement issued on Saturday, specifically raised concerns over Coker-Odusote’s appointment as Director of Data Management in the APC campaign council, describing the combination of both positions as a potential conflict of interest.
The organisation warned that the NIMC chief’s participation in partisan political activities could undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the commission, which manages Nigeria’s National Identity Database containing the personal and biometric information of millions of Nigerians.
CITAD said the sensitive nature of NIMC’s responsibilities makes the confidentiality, integrity and political neutrality of its systems critical to national security and public trust.
The organisation further expressed concern that Coker-Odusote’s dual roles could create an “appearance of compromised neutrality”, particularly as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections and increasingly rely on personal data for voter engagement, political profiling, digital targeting and campaign communication.
According to CITAD, the head of an institution responsible for safeguarding the identity information of Nigerians across different political affiliations should not simultaneously hold a senior data-management position within a partisan presidential campaign.
The group, however, clarified that it was not accusing NIMC of transferring citizens’ data to the APC or alleging that Coker-Odusote had improperly used Nigerians’ personal information.
“We are not alleging that NIMC data has been transferred to the APC or that Dr. Coker-Odusote has misused citizens’ information,” CITAD said.
“Our concern is about the institutional conflict, perception of partisan influence and erosion of public confidence that this arrangement creates.”
CITAD questioned whether Coker-Odusote could continue to command public confidence in NIMC’s political neutrality while serving in a senior data-related role within the campaign council of a political party.
It described the situation as “untenable” and demanded that Coker-Odusote immediately withdraw from the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The organisation added that if she decided to maintain the partisan appointment, she should step down from her position as NIMC Director-General.
CITAD also called on the Federal Government and relevant oversight institutions to introduce safeguards preventing NIMC databases, infrastructure and personnel from being used for partisan political purposes.
It further advocated stronger measures to prevent political profiling, exploitation and unauthorised use of Nigerians’ personal information during the 2027 electoral process.
The organisation urged political parties and candidates to adhere to lawful, transparent and responsible data-handling practices as political campaigns gather momentum ahead of the elections.
CITAD told PulseNets that its PAWSOM-Monitor initiative would continue to monitor potential violations involving data protection and digital rights in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
The organisation said the initiative was established to monitor possible misuse of personal data for electoral purposes and examine how political actors access national digital infrastructure before, during and after elections.
CITAD said PAWSOM-Monitor was piloted during the recent Osun State governorship election, adding that the alleged conflict involving Coker-Odusote formed an important part of its election observation activities.
“The conflict of interest presented by the dual roles of Dr. Busoye sits at the centre of our election observation,” the statement partly read.
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CITAD consequently renewed its call for Coker-Odusote to either resign from the APC campaign council or relinquish her position as NIMC Director-General.
The organisation said either option would help safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s national identity management system and strengthen public confidence in the political neutrality of the commission ahead of the 2027 elections.
