Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has vowed to pursue legal and other appropriate actions against Lere Olayinka, the media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over the alleged public release of his voter information obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) database.
Ike, who hails from Imo State, recently participated in the primary election for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in Abuja under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) but was unsuccessful in securing the ticket.
The controversy began after Olayinka shared information on his social media account suggesting that Ike had only recently transferred his voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory. In the post, Olayinka questioned Ike’s eligibility and political ambitions in Abuja, noting that the actor had transferred his voter registration to the FCT just days earlier. Accompanying the post were screenshots that many observers believed originated from an administrative section of INEC’s voter registration system.
The images reportedly contained sensitive personal details, including Ike’s voter identification number, application details, registration centre, photograph, and other personal records.
Reacting during an interview on Channels Television, Ike described the incident as disturbing and unacceptable. He argued that it was deeply troubling for a government official to have access to and publicly share a citizen’s private information from an electoral database. According to him, the development highlights the level of impunity within public institutions and raises concerns about the security of citizens’ personal data.
The actor condemned what he termed an abuse of power and an invasion of privacy, insisting that no individual should be allowed to access and publicly disclose personal information without authorization. He maintained that such actions represent a threat not only to him but also to every Nigerian whose personal data is stored in government systems.
Ike declared that he was prepared to challenge Olayinka over the matter, stressing that the public disclosure of his information amounted to a violation of his privacy rights. He stated that steps were already being considered to ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Addressing questions about his decision to seek political office in Abuja rather than his home state, Ike explained that he had initially planned to contest in Imo State. However, he said persistent appeals from supporters and stakeholders in the FCT convinced him to shift his political focus to Abuja. According to him, those urging him to run believed he could contribute meaningfully to the development and governance of the capital territory.
Meanwhile, INEC has revealed that its investigation into the incident points to an insider with authorized access to the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database. The electoral body disclosed that one of its personnel is now under scrutiny for allegedly accessing and releasing the actor’s voter record without authorization.
In a statement issued by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC stated that preliminary findings showed there was no external cyberattack, hacking attempt, or unauthorized intrusion into its information technology infrastructure.
According to the commission, its audit trail indicates that the information was accessed using legitimate credentials assigned to officials involved in the ongoing voter registration exercise. These credentials are intended strictly for official functions such as registering new voters, processing transfers, and updating records.
INEC explained that its internal review had successfully identified the specific account used to retrieve the information. Relevant staff members have already been questioned, while all departments connected to the incident are cooperating with investigators.
The commission added that it is examining every technical, operational, and administrative aspect of the case to determine responsibility and ascertain whether established access-control procedures were breached.
Regarding concerns about the wider security of voter data, INEC assured Nigerians that only a single voter record was involved and that the personal information of more than 90 million registered voters remains secure. The commission emphasized that the overall integrity of its voter registration system has not been compromised.
INEC further disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced an independent investigation into the matter. The electoral body pledged full cooperation with security agencies and warned that anyone found responsible for the unauthorized disclosure would face prosecution.
The commission also appealed to the public and media organizations to avoid speculation while investigations continue, promising to release its final findings and any disciplinary or legal actions taken once the process is completed.
The incident has also attracted political attention. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed concern over the implications of the data leak for the credibility of future elections, particularly the 2027 general polls.
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the unauthorized disclosure exposed weaknesses within Nigeria’s electoral institutions. He noted that while INEC ruled out external hacking, the admission that voter information was accessed through official credentials without authorization should alarm Nigerians.
According to Atiku, the absence of an external breach does not lessen the seriousness of the incident. Instead, he said it raises critical questions about internal safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and the possibility of political interference within key institutions.
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the release of the information by Olayinka, pointing to comments previously made by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike regarding future electoral contests. Atiku called for complete transparency concerning how the information was obtained and handled.
While welcoming INEC’s identification of the account involved and the DSS investigation, the former vice president stressed that Nigerians expect those responsible to be held accountable in order to preserve public confidence in the country’s electoral process and data protection systems.