Trending 
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched an investigation into claims that Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike’s personal voter information was improperly disclosed, engaging both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the actor as part of its inquiry.
The commission confirmed the development during a media briefing on Friday at its headquarters in Abuja, where its National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Olatunji, said the case was being handled with urgency given its potential implications for electoral credibility and public confidence.
The controversy stems from a recent incident in which details said to relate to Ike’s voter registration were shared publicly by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Information to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Olayinka faced criticism after posting what appeared to be voter information sourced from an INEC administrative portal.
He wrote, “Emeka Ike was a registered voter in Imo State. He only transferred his INEC Registration to the FCT on May 15, 2026 (15 days ago).
“And he wants to contest for House of Reps in Abuja! Someone who has never voted in the FCT o. What happened to his Imo State? This Obidient people enh!!!”
The post included screenshots said to contain sensitive voter data, including registration details, identification numbers, photographs, and application records, raising concerns about possible unauthorised access to INEC systems.
The development triggered wider public debate over data protection and electoral integrity, although INEC maintained that there was no external cyberattack. The commission said the incident was instead linked to the misuse of valid internal access credentials.
Security agencies have also become involved in the matter, with investigators from the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team reportedly questioning Olayinka and an electoral official as part of ongoing inquiries.
Speaking on the case, Olatunji said the NDPC had already begun engagement with all relevant parties. He explained that the commission treats such matters as urgent, particularly when they involve electoral systems.
“The one of INEC is really sensitive because we are moving towards elections. And it speaks to the credibility of the database. It’s of utmost urgency, and we are moving immediately,” he noted.
Olatunji stressed that the NDPC follows structured procedures in handling complaints rather than reacting to social media reports.
“Investigation is a process. And in the privacy ecosystem, you have to be extremely careful and diligent in how you carry out your investigation.
“There is no breach reported to us that we have not acted on, either in a government institution or public institution,” he added.
He further explained that the commission assesses each case based on factors such as scale, sensitivity, and impact on affected individuals.
Olatunji also noted that the NDPC now focuses more on thorough investigations than immediate public disclosures, and maintained that enforcement applies across all institutions without exception.
