A resurfaced video of Nollywood actress Rita Daniels has triggered fresh public debate over her daughter Regina Daniels’ marriage to billionaire businessman and senator Ned Nwoko, amid renewed online speculation about the couple’s relationship.
In the old clip that recently went viral, Rita Daniels said she was the last person to know about Regina’s relationship with Ned Nwoko, stressing that she only became aware after noticing changes in her daughter’s behaviour. She explained that by the time she confronted Regina, the young actress had already made up her mind to continue with the relationship.
“I didn’t know about their relationship until much later,” Rita said in the video. “When I found out and questioned her, she was already deeply involved with him. At that point there was nothing I could do other than support her choice as a mother.”
The veteran actress noted that when the politician approached her with marriage intentions, she felt weak but had no option but to stand by her daughter’s decision. According to her, “When he told me he wanted to marry Regina, I felt helpless. It was difficult, but I realised my daughter was determined. As a mother, you can only guide your child; you can’t force her.”
Rita further clarified that at the time Regina and Nwoko began dating, the businessman had not yet ventured into politics. She added that Regina was mature enough to make her own decisions and described her as being wiser than many older women.
The old video, first recorded during a BBC Pidgin interview in 2018, resurfaced on social media just as rumours of alleged tension in Regina’s marriage began to trend. The footage has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some sympathising with the actress while others accused her of trying to rewrite history.
Several social media users questioned her sincerity, claiming she benefited from her daughter’s union. One online user wrote, “You said you didn’t want her to marry him, but you still collected the bride price and enjoyed the luxury that came with it.” Another user commented, “We all remember 2019; it was her father that opposed the marriage. She shouldn’t pretend now.”
Rita Daniels has been criticised for allegedly allowing her daughter to marry a much older man for wealth and influence, a claim she has continued to deny. She insisted that her role was only to support her daughter’s happiness, not to dictate her life.
Regina Daniels’ marriage to Ned Nwoko in 2019 generated widespread controversy in Nigeria due to their age gap and his status as a polygamist. The couple have since maintained a public image of stability and success, often sharing moments of luxury and family life online. However, renewed speculations about cracks in the marriage have put the family back in the spotlight, prompting the re-circulation of the old interview.
Despite the backlash, Rita Daniels maintained that she acted out of love and understanding. She emphasised that motherhood sometimes means allowing children to learn through their own choices, saying, “I only supported my daughter’s decision because that’s what a mother should do.”
