The Chairman of Bende Local Government Area in Abia State, Uwabunkonye Bassey, has raised an alarm over an alleged plan by some politicians to unlawfully collect sensitive personal information from residents under the guise of a political party e-registration exercise.
Bassey made the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chimezie Princewell Okezie.
According to the statement, intelligence reports available to the council suggest that the suspected plan is to be carried out during town hall meetings, where villagers would be asked to submit or allow the copying and photographing of their National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) details.
The council chairman warned that no individual or group has the legal authority to demand such information from citizens in that manner.
“The Executive Chairman wishes to make it clear that no individual or group has the right to collect or demand INEC voter’s cards or NIN details from citizens in this manner,” the statement read.
It added that such practices are “illegal, unsafe, and contrary to established democratic processes, as well as existing data protection and electoral guidelines.”
Bassey therefore urged residents of Bende LGA to remain vigilant and to refrain from sharing their personal information with unauthorized persons or groups, stressing that the protection of citizens’ data is critical to the integrity of the electoral process.
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