The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has trained its staff on data protection and compliance as part of efforts to strengthen the security of voter information and official documents.

The one-day workshop was held on Saturday at the INEC FCT Conference Hall and focused on equipping staff responsible for voter data management with knowledge of data protection laws and compliance requirements.

Speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, represented by the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, said the training was designed to update staff on data protection regulations and the legal implications of data breaches.

The training comes after confidential voter information relating to Nollywood actor Emeka Ike, a House of Representatives aspirant of the National Democratic Coalition, NDC, was reportedly accessed on INEC’s portal using valid staff credentials and subsequently released without authorization.

DAILY POST reported the allegations of unauthorized access to the Commission’s Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, database involving Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

The controversy erupted after voter registration details belonging to Ike surfaced online shortly after he announced plans to contest a House of Representatives seat in the FCT.

The records, shared by Olayinka, were alleged to have originated from INEC’s restricted administrative portal.

Oladunjoye urged participants to take advantage of the programme to improve their skills and uphold integrity and accountability in the management of public data.

The training was facilitated by data protection expert, Mr. Anthony Abodunrin Oni, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resources Management.

According to INEC, the workshop covered data protection rights, core principles and practical guidelines for handling official information. Participants were also trained on the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and other compliance obligations.

Through group exercises and case studies involving voter register management and the handling of sensitive documents, participants examined legal and ethical responsibilities related to data security.

The workshop highlighted risks such as unauthorised access, data leakage, and improper storage or disposal of official materials.

Oni also stressed the importance of password management, access control measures, secure filing systems and the prompt reporting of data breaches.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has officially constituted its Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Committee.

The inauguration is part of preparations for the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

This is contained in a statement posted on its verified X handle late Saturday.

According to the statement, the committee is tasked with coordinating campaign activities, mobilizing support across the state, engaging critical stakeholders, and driving the party’s vision and message to every community in Ekiti State.

The party congratulated all members appointed to serve on the committee and expresses confidence in their capacity, commitment, and dedication to delivering a successful campaign.

“Together, we remain focused on providing the people of Ekiti State with credible leadership, responsible governance, and a brighter future.

“Congratulations to all members of the Ekiti State Governorship Campaign Committee,” the statement read.

Former Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, and prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Kayode Oladele, has advised party members to consolidate the gains of the primary election and build unity rather than dwell on post-contest grievances.

Oladele noted that the primary election is over and party members must unite to ensure victory for the APC in the forthcoming general election.
He stated this on Sunday in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, stressing that personal ambitions must give way to the collective interest of the party and the people of Ogun State.

The former member of the House of Representatives for the Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency warned against actions and statements capable of creating divisions within the party, arguing that the APC’s chances in the forthcoming election would be enhanced by unity, discipline, and unwavering support for its candidate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola.

He said, “The primary election has come and gone. The party has spoken through its members and produced a candidate who enjoys broad support across Ogun State—something that has never happened before in the history of the state.

“The responsibility before all of us now is to work together, close ranks, and ensure victory for the APC in the forthcoming election. Personal ambitions must give way to the collective interest of the party and the people of Ogun State.”

Oladele stated that the outcome of the primary election clearly demonstrated the overwhelming preference of party members for Senator Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, who eventually emerged as the APC governorship candidate.

Recall that Yayi was adopted by the party as its consensus and preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
However, former General Manager of the Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA), Mr. Abayomi Hunye, also picked the governorship nomination and expression of interest forms despite the party’s position of nominating Adeola as its consensus candidate.

Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, Oladele asserted that Hunye was ill-advised to have participated in the primary election, arguing that he lacked the necessary political structure, grassroots network, and broad-based acceptance among party members.
“Mr. Hunye was ill-advised to enter the race without first establishing a formidable political structure and cultivating the support necessary to compete effectively in a statewide contest.

“The fact that Senator Adeola secured overwhelming support in Mr. Hunye’s own ward of Tube is significant. Hunye was outrightly rejected in his ward. Politics begins from one’s immediate constituency,” the statement added.

According to him, when an aspirant is unable to secure any support from his own ward, it becomes difficult to convince others that he possesses the statewide appeal required to win a governorship election.

Recall that the Chairman of the Ogun State Governorship Electoral Committee, Wale Ohu, announced that Adeola secured 304,055 votes out of the 305,287 accredited voters who participated in the exercise, while Hunye polled no votes.