Actor and politician Emeka Ike has raised concerns over what he described as the exclusion of ordinary Nigerians from the political process, arguing that the high cost of participation has made politics inaccessible to many qualified citizens.
Speaking in an interview, Ike said individuals without substantial financial resources face significant barriers to competing for political positions, regardless of their intelligence, competence or ability to contribute meaningfully to governance.
He maintained that politics has become dominated by wealthy power brokers, leaving professionals and everyday Nigerians effectively sidelined.
Reflecting on his decision to enter politics, the actor said he was motivated by a desire to contribute to national change after years of disappointment over the country’s direction.
Ike also addressed an alleged data privacy breach involving information published on the Independent National Electoral Commission website, revealing that he had initiated legal action over the matter.
Despite concerns about his safety, he insisted the incident had strengthened his resolve. He further urged Nigerians to obtain voter cards, participate actively in the 2027 elections and reject the belief that their votes do not count.