Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has opened up in an emotional video about the turmoil surrounding her marriage to billionaire politician Senator Ned Nwoko, admitting that her mother and siblings had warned her against the union but she ignored their advice because she was “madly in love.”

In a video shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, November 5, the actress pleaded with Nigerians to stop insulting her mother, Rita Daniels, who has faced public backlash since news of her daughter’s marital crisis broke.

“The main essence of this video is to please stop insulting my mom,” Regina said tearfully.

“She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. She’s been strong for seven years. My mom held it down, and you all insulted her. But she tried. It’s me — I’m the one with the coconut head. I’m so ashamed to say I fell in love, but I actually really did.”

A Marriage Once Celebrated Turns Sour

Regina Daniels married Senator Ned Nwoko in 2019 at the age of 19, in a union that sparked widespread controversy across Nigeria due to their 40-year age gap.

At the time, she was one of Nollywood’s fastest-rising stars, while Nwoko, a wealthy lawyer and businessman, was known for his philanthropic activities and political influence.

Their marriage quickly became one of the most talked-about celebrity unions in Africa — celebrated by some as a symbol of love transcending age and criticized by others who believed Regina married for money.

However, recent months have seen the couple’s relationship deteriorate publicly, with reports of domestic abuse, mistrust, and growing tension between Regina and her husband.

The crisis escalated when Regina’s mother, Rita Daniels, publicly accused Nwoko of maltreating her daughter and arresting her children, describing his actions as those of “a man consumed by pride and greed.”

Regina Speaks Of Depression

In her emotional confession, Regina revealed that her decision to marry Nwoko had once driven her to the brink of suicide, recounting how she fled from home at night when her family tried to stop her from getting married.

“Everyone said no — my mom, my brothers, everyone warned me,” she said. “I went out that night, ready to end it all because they didn’t want me to marry the love of my life. I went to the police station and said, arrest me. I told them, ‘My family doesn’t want me to marry Ned.’ I was ready to die for that love.”

The actress added that despite her pain, she still harbors respect for Nwoko, especially because of their two sons, Munir and Khalifa, whom she described as her greatest motivation to keep going.

“The only reason I’m not fighting you, Ned, is that I want Munir and Khalifa’s father’s name to be strong,” she said. “But I’ll fight for my children. I’ll raise them with or without your support.”

Denies Claims of Greed And Defends Her Mother

Regina Daniels also debunked long-standing rumors that her marriage to Nwoko was motivated by wealth. She clarified that her family was financially stable before the marriage and that her mother never influenced her decision for monetary gain.

“Stop saying I got married out of greed. Excuse me, no. We were not broke. What money can a man give a mother to sell her daughter? My mother is not that kind of person. She trained all of us through my acting career. God used me to settle her,” Regina said.

She emphasized that her mother had sacrificed everything for her and that any attacks directed at Rita Daniels were undeserved.

Public Reaction And Family Division

Regina’s revelations have sparked mixed reactions online. While many sympathize with her emotional vulnerability, others question the timing of her public outcry, especially following recent confrontations between her mother and Ned Nwoko.

Insiders close to the family claim that Rita Daniels has been at odds with Nwoko since he allegedly detained two of her sons during a family dispute earlier this month — a development that pushed tensions to new heights.

In a viral outburst, Rita Daniels accused Nwoko of exploiting her daughter’s fame for political gain, claiming Regina once gave him $50,000 to support his election campaign, only for him to turn against the family afterward.