City Boy Movement Faces Scrutiny Over Voter Data Collection in Lagos

A political support group campaigning for the re-election of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has drawn public scrutiny and criticism after individuals identified as its members were recorded collecting and recording information from citizens' Permanent Voter Cards in Lagos State. The footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed people wearing white T-shirts and caps associated with the City Boy Movement approaching individuals, including traders at a Lagos market, to examine their voter cards and copy their details.

The unauthorized gathering of sensitive electoral information outside the official registration processes managed by the Independent National Electoral Commission has raised widespread concerns regarding data protection, transparency, and privacy. Particularly troubling to observers is the recording of unique Voter Identification Numbers, which serve as crucial identifiers for registered voters ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections.

The controversy follows recent efforts by the organization to expand its political structures and grassroots presence across the region. On November 5, 2026, the movement completed the inauguration of its ward executives for the Lagos West I Senatorial District during an event in Ikeja, where leaders urged members to establish local databases and build robust structures at polling units.

During the inauguration, the movement's Lagos Director-General, Moyosore Ogunlewe, emphasized the group's objective to mobilize citizens and counter misinformation. Similarly, Temitope Adedeji, the group's Lagos Deputy Director-General, instructed newly appointed executives to develop localized voter databases and ensure active representation across every polling unit.

In response to earlier concerns regarding its activities, the City Boy Movement issued a public statement on November 2, 2026, clarifying that its membership registration drive was strictly for internal organizational purposes and documentation. Signed by O'Tega Ogra, the statement asserted that registering with the political support group does not confer voting eligibility, alter an individual's status on the official INEC register, or serve as an official electoral process.

Despite these clarifications, the latest video footage has intensified public debate over whether the collection of Permanent Voter Card details exceeds the scope of voluntary membership sign-ups. Critics and social media users have questioned the underlying intentions of the exercise, with some calling on electoral authorities to investigate the actions of the support group to ensure no violations of voting rights or privacy laws occur.

Legal experts note that while political organisations are legally permitted to mobilize supporters and recruit members, the handling of personal data is strictly regulated under national legislation such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. The law mandates that any collection of personal information must be conducted transparently, with explicit consent and robust safeguards against misuse.

As political momentum builds toward the 2027 general elections, neither the Independent National Electoral Commission nor the leadership of the City Boy Movement has issued a direct public response regarding the latest video footage, leaving key questions unanswered concerning the safety and purpose of the harvested voter data.