Politics is no longer for regular Nigerians, Emeka Ike

Actor and politician Emeka Ike has shared his worries about Nigeria's political scene. He believes there is little chance for regular Nigerians to take part in politics.

In an exclusive chat with Saturday Beats, he talked about the tough times he had moving from Nollywood to politics.

"One of the biggest lessons is that there is very little room for ordinary Nigerians in politics. If you do not have substantial financial resources, it becomes almost impossible to compete, regardless of how intelligent, resourceful or impactful you are. A banker does not have that kind of money. A journalist does not have that kind of money. Most ordinary professionals do not. This means many Nigerians have effectively been disenfranchised," he said.

The actor pointed out that politics is mostly run by people with lots of money. Many of them gained their power in questionable ways. "I am not hiding that fact. Nigerians need to stop supporting political moneybags simply because they are wealthy. Many capable Nigerians are effectively being pushed away from politics, and that is something we must resist," he added.

Ike explained why he decided to enter politics. "Our fathers waited for change in Nigeria. My mother died waiting for that change. I am approaching 60, and it feels as though my children may face the same consequences. I asked myself, 'Why not join and make some noise? Why not do something to let Nigerians know that this is wrong?' I wanted to contribute to the change and see if I could make a difference before it’s too late."

Recently, the actor took legal action against Lere Olayinka, who works for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. This was after his personal details were leaked on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s website without his permission.

While discussing the issue, Ike said he felt unsafe but added that it only made him more determined to continue in politics.

"It strengthened my decision to fight the anomaly. It did not make me feel like dropping out of the race because I actually came into the race to be part of the solution. The individual involved exposed me to danger, but I am not a weak man. If anyone comes to my house with bad intentions, they should be prepared for the consequences. I am not scared, but I am taking precautions. For now, I move from place to place while my lawyer continues to work on the matter," he said.

Ike also encouraged Nigerians to get their voter cards and take part in the 2027 elections.

He called on NGOs to come together and watch the election process closely.

"People should be held accountable, and that is why I am calling on civil society organisations to rise to their responsibilities. They should sensitise Nigerians and even protest this issue if necessary. This is not about Emeka Ike. It is a warning sign. At the same time, Nigerians should reject the belief that their votes do not count. They should go out and vote. If we can significantly increase voter registration and turnout, the small group of people manipulating the system will be overwhelmed by the will of the people," he said.