Ned Nwoko Denies Marrying Regina Daniels at 17

Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, has denied claims that he married his estranged wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, when she was 17 years old.

The lawmaker, in a statement released through his Communication and Technical Action Team clarified that Regina was 19 at the time of their marriage, not 17 as widely reported.

“For clarity, Regina Daniels was born October 10, 2000. If she has been married to me for six years, that means she married at 19 and not 17,” Nwoko said. “The public witnessed her family giving her away in marriage. There were witnesses to the fact that her mother personally brought her to me. I never went after her.”

The clarification comes amid renewed public criticism over his marriage to the Nollywood actress, following recent domestic disputes that have played out publicly.

Regina Daniels had, two weeks ago, accused the senator of domestic violence and announced her decision to end their marriage.

In response, Nwoko accused the actress of substance abuse and insisted that she undergo rehabilitation.

The exchange drew intense reactions from Nigerians, including celebrities and civil rights groups, who condemned the lawmaker for allegedly marrying Regina as a teenager. Many critics also demanded his resignation from the Senate over what they described as an “exploitative union.”

In the statement, Nwoko maintained that he was not the one who pursued Regina for marriage, stressing that her mother, Rita Daniels, initiated the arrangement.

“There were witnesses to the fact that her mother personally brought her to me. I never went after her,” he reiterated.

The senator insisted that his marriage to Regina was conducted openly and in line with tradition, adding that false narratives circulating on social media had misrepresented the circumstances surrounding their union.

Ned Nwoko, a lawyer, politician, and businessman, married Regina Daniels in 2019 in a traditional ceremony that generated national debate due to their age difference.

The couple, who share two sons, have faced public scrutiny since their marriage became public, with critics questioning the morality of the relationship.

The controversy resurfaced after Regina recently accused Nwoko of assault and controlling behavior, which he denied, alleging instead that she was struggling with drug addiction.

As of press time, neither Regina Daniels nor her mother, Rita Daniels, has responded to Nwoko’s latest claims.