By Mary Onyia
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have launched separate investigations into the alleged unauthorised access and disclosure of voter registration information belonging to Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Emeka Ike, in a controversy that has sparked fresh concerns about data privacy and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. The dispute arose after Lere Olayinka, spokesman to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, posted screenshots on social media purportedly showing Ike’s voter registration details, including information related to the transfer of his voter registration from Imo State to the FCT.
In its defence, INEC said the incident did not amount to a compromise of its broader voter registration infrastructure. The commission explained that authorised registration officers were granted controlled access to specific components of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) system for official duties during the ongoing voter registration exercise. According to INEC, preliminary audit trails have already identified the user account through which the information was accessed, while relevant personnel have been questioned. The electoral body further stated that it is investigating whether internal access-control protocols were breached and promised sanctions against any person found culpable.
The DSS has also commenced an independent investigation into the matter. INEC said it would cooperate fully with security agencies and refer any individual found responsible for unauthorised access or disclosure for possible prosecution. The controversy has intensified following allegations that the screenshots appeared to originate from an administrative portal not ordinarily accessible to the public, raising questions about how the information was obtained. However, INEC reportedly maintains that there is no evidence of an external cyberattack on its systems and that the incident appears linked to the misuse of authorised credentials rather than a systemic breach.
Reacting to the development, Ike described the publication of his voter information as “political rascality” and an abuse of official privilege. He has threatened legal action against Olayinka, arguing that the disclosure violated his privacy and could undermine public confidence in the protection of citizens’ personal data. The actor, who recently contested for the House of Representatives ticket for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), reportedly, said he would pursue all lawful avenues to establish how the information was obtained and published.
The matter has attracted reactions from prominent Nigerians, including veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman Reuben Abati, who publicly challenged Olayinka to explain how he gained access to information from what appeared to be a restricted INEC database. Civil society advocates and digital-rights campaigners have also expressed concern over the implications for voter privacy. Politically, analysts believe the controversy could have far-reaching consequences ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general election. Opposition parties may seize on the incident to question the neutrality and security of electoral institutions, while the ruling establishment could face renewed demands for stronger safeguards around voter data. According to reports, although the investigations are still ongoing and no wrongdoing has been formally established against any individual, the outcome may significantly influence public trust in INEC and shape political narratives as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
However, investigations by INEC and the DSS are ongoing. Allegations regarding unauthorised access remain under investigation, and no court or investigative body has yet made a final determination of liability against any of the individuals mentioned.