The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised access and disclosure of classified voter information from the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), leading to the arrest of an electoral officer and the interrogation of a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Senior police sources confirmed on Wednesday that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) are investigating allegations of database misuse, cyber-related offences and the unlawful disclosure of sensitive electoral records belonging to INEC.

As part of the ongoing probe, an INEC electoral officer, whose identity has not been made public, has been taken into custody. Investigators also questioned Mr. Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The investigation reportedly followed a petition filed on behalf of INEC, alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation and the unlawful release of classified electoral documents.

The controversy stemmed from social media posts by Olayinka in which he shared screenshots purportedly showing details of a voter registration transfer involving Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.

The disclosure came amid debates over Ike’s eligibility to contest a House of Representatives seat in the FCT following his criticism of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary process.

The posts generated widespread reactions, with many Nigerians questioning how the information was obtained and alleging that it could only have originated from INEC’s restricted voter registration database.

Reacting to the incident on Tuesday, Independent National Electoral Commission denied reports that its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database had been hacked or breached. The commission maintained that the disclosure resulted from the misuse of legitimate internal access credentials by an authorised official.

According to investigation findings, the detained electoral officer allegedly contacted Olayinka through Facebook Messenger before forwarding voter registration documents to him via WhatsApp.

The documents were reportedly intended to show that Emeka Ike’s voter transfer request had recently been initiated and was yet to receive final approval.

Sources familiar with the investigation said Olayinka told investigators he had no prior relationship with the INEC official and was unaware that the documents shared with him were classified.

He reportedly maintained that the electoral officer never informed him that the information was confidential or restricted.

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services has commenced a parallel investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disclosure of the voter information.

Police authorities are said to be considering possible charges against both the INEC official and Olayinka, including criminal conspiracy, cyber-related offences, unlawful disclosure of classified information and actions capable of causing a breach of public peace.

Youths and women from Umunenweze Okpuala community in Okaigu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, on Wednesday staged a protest at the Government House in Umuahia over the alleged grabbing and sale of their ancestral lands and farmlands.

The protesters appealed to Governor Alex Otti to urgently intervene, accusing their traditional ruler, Eze Paul Onuigbo Uzuegbu, and other individuals of allegedly presenting forged documents and letters to the state government on behalf of the community.

According to the demonstrators, large portions of land belonging to the community, including areas reserved for future generations, have been sold or donated to private estate developers without the consent of the people.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Secretary of the Umunenweze community, Okechukwu Uzuegbu, alleged that estate developers deployed bulldozers to clear farmlands and destroy economic trees owned by community members without their knowledge or approval.

He further claimed that individuals involved in the disputed land transactions had been submitting false letters and forged documents to government authorities, purportedly indicating that the community had surrendered its rights to the land.

Uzuegbu warned against further encroachment on the disputed lands, stating that continued trespass could heighten tensions within the community.

Responding on behalf of the state government, Mrs. Magdalene Ugoanusi, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Otti on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful and avoid any form of violence.

Ugoanusi disclosed that the matter had previously been brought to the attention of the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor and assured the protesters that the government would revisit the issue.

She advised the community to compile and submit a detailed account of their grievances to the state government for appropriate action.

The governor’s aide also stated that Obi Aguocha would be engaged to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the land dispute.

The Labour Party has formally presented Dr. Chibuzo Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party said Okereke emerged as its flag bearer following a broad-based consensus among members and stakeholders during a meeting held in Abuja on May 30, 2026.

The party described Okereke as a governance expert, policy strategist and reform advocate with extensive experience in public policy, legislative governance and institutional development.

According to the statement, Okereke is the President of ERGAF-AFRICA Legislative Governance Innovation and Policy Hub, a policy and legislative research institution. He also serves as a legislative consultant to key committees and ranking members of the National Assembly.

The Labour Party further noted that Okereke is a resident lecturer in the Department of Public Policy and Administration at Miva Open University, Abuja, where he is involved in training future public sector leaders and policy professionals.

The party said his commitment to youth empowerment, education and democratic reforms aligns with its vision of providing competent, accountable and transformational leadership for Nigeria.

Party officials expressed confidence that Okereke’s experience and policy background position him to advance the Labour Party’s agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.