A new wave of controversy has erupted on social media after activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore accused Senator Chinedu “Ned” Nwoko of marrying Nollywood actress Regina Daniels while she was still a minor.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sowore alleged that verifiable documents now in the public domain contradict Nwoko’s recent denials regarding Daniels’ age at the time of their union.
According to Sowore, two passports purportedly belonging to Regina Daniels list her date of birth as October 1, 2001 — suggesting she was 17 when she married Nwoko in 2019.
He further claimed that the couple traveled abroad shortly after Daniels turned 18, with the senator personally handling her travel documentation. Sowore’s post also included a family photograph and references to multiple sources said to have confirmed the timeline.
The activist accused Nwoko, a senator representing Delta North under the All Progressives Congress (APC), of using his political influence and wealth to suppress dissent and target critics through the Nigeria Police Force.
He alleged a pattern of harassment against members of Daniels’ family and other individuals who have spoken against the lawmaker. “Nigeria cannot claim to uphold justice while the powerful use state institutions as personal weapons,” Sowore declared, urging accountability and an end to impunity.
The allegations have reignited public debate following Nwoko’s earlier statement denying that his wife was underage at the time of marriage.
Nwoko maintains that Daniels was 21, citing a voter’s card showing her birth year as 1998.
The contradiction has intensified scrutiny over Nigeria’s weak record-verification systems, with conflicting documents and interviews — including a 2019 BBC report quoting Daniels’ mother as saying her daughter was 20 — fueling further uncertainty.
Online reactions remain deeply divided, with supporters of Nwoko dismissing Sowore’s claims as politically motivated, while others call for a transparent investigation into both the alleged underage marriage and the reported misuse of state power.
