The Centre for Information Technology and Development, CITAD, has demanded the resignation of National Identity Management Commission Director-General Bisoye Coker-Odusote from the APC Presidential Campaign Council, arguing that her reported appointment as Director of Data Management creates a conflict of interest.
CITAD made the demand in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Yunusa Ya’u, on Saturday, amid controversy surrounding the composition of the All Progressives Congress campaign structure for the 2027 presidential election.
The organisation said its concern was not based on any allegation that NIMC data had been transferred to the APC or misused by Coker-Odusote.
Instead, it said the simultaneous roles could create an appearance of compromised neutrality and weaken public confidence in the institution responsible for Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure.
NIMC is responsible for establishing, owning, operating, maintaining and managing the National Identity Database, which contains Nigerians’ personal and biometric information.
CITAD said the sensitivity of that responsibility makes political neutrality particularly important as political parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
“As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, political parties will increasingly rely on personal data for voter engagement, political profiling, digital targeting and campaign communication,” the organisation said.
It argued that an official responsible for managing data for a political campaign should not simultaneously head an institution entrusted with the identity information of Nigerians across political affiliations.
The group therefore asked Coker-Odusote to immediately leave the APC campaign council.
CITAD said that if she chose to retain the campaign position, she should relinquish her position as NIMC director-general.
Coker-Odusote was listed as Director of Data Management in the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign council unveiled in August.
Her appointment has generated questions over the separation of public office from partisan politics, particularly because of NIMC’s role in managing Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure.
The issue has also revived debate around Nigeria’s Public Service Rules, which restrict public officers from holding offices in political organisations or engaging in partisan political activities without government permission.
The rules provide that an officer wishing to engage in partisan political activities should resign his or her appointment.
The controversy comes as the APC works to settle its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 election.
The Presidency said on August 26 that the campaign council list had not been withdrawn, although adjustments would be made as additional subcommittees were constituted.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the list remained valid but was not cast in stone.
The clarification followed criticism of the composition of the campaign council and reports that the list could be reviewed.
President Tinubu also met APC governors under the Progressives Governors’ Forum in Abuja on August 27, days after the campaign council was unveiled, as the ruling party intensified preparations for the 2027 election.
Beyond its resignation demand, CITAD called on the Federal Government and relevant oversight bodies to establish safeguards preventing NIMC databases, systems and personnel from being used for partisan political purposes.
It also demanded stronger protection against the political profiling, exploitation or unauthorised use of Nigerians’ personal data.
The organisation said political parties and candidates should commit to the responsible, lawful and transparent use of personal data during the election cycle.
CITAD said its PAWSOM-Monitor initiative would continue tracking potential data-protection and digital-rights violations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation said the initiative was piloted during the recent Osun State governorship election, adding that the alleged conflict involving Coker-Odusote was central to its election observation.
CITAD ultimately wants Coker-Odusote to choose between the two positions, saying the step is necessary to protect NIMC’s institutional integrity and maintain public confidence in Nigeria’s national identity system.
