A video of actress Rita Daniels, mother of Nollywood star Regina Daniels, has resurfaced online following reports that her daughter accused her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, of domestic violence.
The video, originally recorded in October 3, during an interview with BBC News Igbo, began trending after Regina was seen in a viral clip claiming she could no longer tolerate violence in her marriage.
“In Ned Nwoko’s house I am nothing, but in my own house I am a queen. Not again, I can’t stand the violence, it’s too much,” Regina said in the video that sparked a wave of reactions online.
Senator Nwoko has since denied the allegations, claiming in a statement through his media team that Regina’s struggles were due to “drug and alcohol use.” He maintained that none of his five other wives had ever accused him of abuse.
Rita Daniels’ old interview resurfaced amid the controversy, showing her addressing claims that she arranged or “sold” her daughter into marriage with the politician.
“When Regina got married, and the world was saying I was the one who forced her to marry a much older man. They said I carried her and sold her to an elderly man,” she said.
“What they did not know is that even I did not know when they started the relationship. With everything that was going on, I was the last person to know they were in a relationship.
“And as my daughter, I called her and asked what was going on, and she answered me, ‘Have I ever introduced you to anyone as the person I want to get married to aside from Ned Nwoko?’”
Rita said she was surprised by her daughter’s determination, especially since she and Nwoko were political opponents.
“My daughter, who never used to throw back words at me, started throwing back words. I noticed she was beginning to get stubborn about it, and then I was like, ‘What is actually going on?’ In the political terrain, the husband and I are opponents.”
She explained that Nwoko only approached her about marriage after his election campaign. Faced with her daughter’s insistence, she said she decided to support her.
“Immediately after the election, it was then that her husband told me he was interested in marrying my child. I was weak, but what was I to do? I stood with my daughter, was I to chase her away?” she said.
“So when I saw everything, I advised as much as I could as a mother. That they are talking all sorts of trash about Regina, the most important thing is that she is happy where she is, and I have not had the energy to address anyone regarding anything.
“Do I leave them to heap blame on my daughter? So it is better for me that they heap the blame on me, tear me apart, and call me all sorts of names. I will rather take it. What matters to me is that my family is at peace.”
Regina Daniels married Ned Nwoko in 2019, and they have two children together. Their marriage has remained a topic of public interest due to their age difference and Nwoko’s status as a politician and businessman.
