ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigerian actor and politician Emeka Ike has threatened legal action against Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, after accusing him of leaking his personal voter registration data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Olayinka had posted screenshots on X (formerly Twitter) that appeared to show Ike’s voter information, including his application number, registration center, Voter Identification Number, profile picture, name, and date of application. Analysts said the images looked like they were obtained from INEC’s administrative portal.
The Imo State-born actor, who recently transferred his voter registration from Imo to the FCT before unsuccessfully contesting for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, described the leak as “political rascality.”
“It’s quite shocking, extreme, and it is the height of political rascality for a government officer to access a citizen’s information from the INEC cyber,” Ike said during a Tuesday appearance on Channels TV. “It shows how much impunity we have flying around, and people have access to things they shouldn’t be having access to. I see that as a huge insult and slap on every political party and every Nigerian.”
Ike vowed to sue Olayinka, saying his right to privacy had been violated. “Actions are ready, I’m ready to take him on. He has no right to exploit my privacy and insult Nigerians the way he did. If he has been doing it in the past, this should be the last time he does it,” he said.
Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, has faced repeated criticism over data security and transparency. In recent years, opposition parties and civil society groups have raised concerns about unauthorized access to voter information and the potential misuse of sensitive data. The controversy comes amid broader debates about digital privacy and the protection of citizens’ rights in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Legal experts warned that if proven, the leak could amount to a breach of Nigeria’s Data Protection Act. Advocacy groups urged INEC to investigate and strengthen its cybersecurity protocols. Rights organizations condemned the alleged leak, saying it undermines trust in electoral institutions. The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre called it “a dangerous precedent that erodes confidence in democratic processes.”
Nigerians reacted strongly online. Supporters of Ike rallied behind him with hashtags like #ProtectPrivacy and #JusticeForEmekaIke, while critics accused him of politicizing the issue. One user wrote: “If INEC data can be accessed this easily, then every Nigerian voter is at risk.” Another posted: “This is not about Emeka Ike alone, it’s about protecting democracy.” Fellow Nollywood actors expressed solidarity, saying the incident highlights the vulnerability of public figures and ordinary citizens alike.
The controversy underscores growing concerns about privacy, data protection, and political accountability in Nigeria. Ike’s threat of legal action against Wike’s aide has turned a personal dispute into a broader debate about the integrity of electoral institutions and the rights of citizens in the digital age.
