As political activities gradually build towards the 2027 general elections, the Federal Government says protecting the personal information of Nigerians will be a key priority, warning that organisations handling voter-related data must strengthen privacy safeguards or face legal consequences.

The assurance came from the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Vincent Olatunji, during an interview on Saturday. He said the commission is stepping up oversight of how political parties and other institutions collect, store and process citizens’ personal information ahead of the electoral cycle.

According to Olatunji, election periods often involve the collection of large volumes of personal data, making it essential for organisations to adopt proper security measures to prevent misuse or unauthorised disclosure. He stressed that data protection is a critical component of public trust in democratic processes.

The NDPC said it would closely monitor compliance with existing data protection regulations and would not hesitate to take legal action against individuals or organisations found compromising citizens’ personal information. Olatunji warned that anyone who unlawfully reveals or tampers with people’s data would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He also expressed concern that some political organisations may not yet have adequate privacy frameworks or internal safeguards for managing the information they collect from members and supporters. He urged stakeholders to establish clear data protection procedures before election activities intensify.

The commission maintained that strengthening data privacy ahead of the 2027 elections is intended to protect citizens’ rights and reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. It called on all political actors and institutions handling personal information to ensure compliance with data protection standards as preparations for the polls continue.