- NDPC has launched an investigation into Emeka Ike’s voter data leak.
- INEC and the actor have been engaged as part of probe.
- Commission says matter is urgent due to electoral credibility concerns.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced an investigation into the alleged leakage of voter information involving Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike.
The commission disclosed on Friday that it had already engaged both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Ike as part of efforts to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking during a media parley, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, said the matter was receiving urgent attention due to its potential implications for electoral integrity and public confidence in the country’s data protection framework.
The controversy followed the publication of details linked to Ike’s voter registration record by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Information to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Ike, who hails from Imo State, contested the House of Representatives seat for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)/Bwari Federal Constituency under the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress but was unsuccessful in the election.
As part of ongoing investigations, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team reportedly questioned Olayinka and an electoral officer over the alleged release of information from the INEC database.
Addressing journalists, Olatunji confirmed that the commission had already met with relevant stakeholders and activated its investigative process.
According to him, the NDPC follows established procedures in handling allegations of data breaches and does not act solely based on information circulating on social media.
“Emeka Ike is downstairs now. INEC, they were here last week, and they were here this week again,” Olatunji said.
He stressed that the commission views the matter as highly sensitive, particularly because of its potential impact on public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“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 stated.
Olatunji further explained that investigations involving privacy and data protection issues require caution, professionalism, and strict adherence to due process.
“Investigation is a process. And in the privacy ecosystem, you have to be extremely careful and be diligent in the way 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.
The NDPC has not yet announced the outcome of its investigation, but the commission maintains that the matter remains a priority due to its significance for data security and electoral credibility.
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