Veteran Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has officially thrown his hat into the political ring, announcing plans to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The actor, known for his decades-long career in Nigeria's film industry, said his decision to seek elective office stems from a desire to move beyond entertainment and contribute directly to governance and national development.
Speaking about his ambition, Ike appealed to Nigerians to support his candidacy, arguing that his years of bringing joy to audiences across the country have prepared him for a greater responsibility in public service.
“I’m running for the Federal House of Representatives, under the Bwari/AMAC Federal Constituency in Abuja. And we want to make a federal statement. Have I made you happy as Nigerians? For me, yes. If I’ve made you happy as Nigerians, I want to step into the real thing right now. Let’s see how we bring dividends close to you.”
The actor's declaration marks his latest attempt to become actively involved in politics, joining a growing list of entertainers seeking to transition from the creative industry into public office.
Throughout his remarks, Ike criticized what he described as the dominance of a political class that has monopolised power and resources while leaving ordinary citizens with little influence over governance.
According to him, Nigerians possess far more political power than they realise and can reshape the country's future if they become actively involved in the democratic process.
“We want to stop. Let’s block those boys who think they are the ones who have power. They’re not the ones who have power. They’re not getting anything. If we stand, they will run. So let’s stand up, take power, and rearrange our country. We don’t, we don’t deserve to be begging.”
Drawing comparisons between Nigeria and countries he has visited abroad, Ike lamented the absence of strong institutions and efficient systems that make governance work seamlessly for citizens.
He argued that in many developed societies, public services function effectively regardless of who occupies political office, allowing citizens to enjoy the benefits of governance without constantly seeking political connections.
“I travel overseas a lot. And when I look around, all I see is structure. All I see is a systemised, organised system where everything works. So you don’t even need to see the president. You don’t even need to know your mayor. Your mayor enters the same bus as you.”
“But here, they seize it, put it in their pockets, and then you can’t get it unless you play their game. So what I’m saying is, let’s get involved in this game now.”
The actor reserved some of his strongest criticism for what he described as the political apathy of many Nigerians. While acknowledging widespread frustration with elected officials, he argued that citizens must move beyond online complaints and use their voting power to effect meaningful change.
Expressing his disappointment, Ike said politicians have repeatedly demonstrated a lack of respect for voters because many citizens fail to hold them accountable through active participation in elections.
“I’m actually angry. And I’m angry because of you, Nigerians, honestly, not for the politicians. They (politicians) have shown us that they don’t respect us. They’ve shown us that we’re not worth anything to them. And they have a caucus and a code they use against us. We sit back behind the keypads, online, we yell, we cry, we make noise, yet we don’t make any impact.”
He further urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), insisting that voter mobilisation remains the most effective tool for changing the country's political direction.
“All we do is say, ‘Oh, we curse them out, their father, their mother.’ Is that what we’re going to do forever? Now, why don’t you, as a Nigerian, go and pick your PVC? That’s all the noise you need to make. Stop making noise. Pick your PVC. If there is a ground slide victory, nobody can change it.”
Reinforcing his call for civic engagement, the Nollywood star maintained that Nigerians have both the constitutional right and collective power to determine the nation's future.
“We have the right to change the narratives. We have the right to tell Nigeria where it should go on the trajectory. We shouldn’t sit back and be saying, ‘Ah, it is them I don’t know. Who are they?’”
With his declaration, Ike joins the growing conversation around citizen participation, electoral accountability, and the increasing involvement of public figures from the entertainment industry in Nigeria's political landscape. His campaign message appears centred on voter mobilisation, institutional reform, and encouraging Nigerians to play a more active role in shaping governance at all levels.