Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents the Delta North Senatorial District, has accused a group he described as a “pull-down-Ned syndicate” of exploiting his wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels’ alleged health challenges, to smear his reputation.
In a statement released by his Communication and Technical Action Team and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, Nwoko said the campaign was a coordinated effort by long-standing detractors to criminalise him before the public and the international community.
“Those exploiting a young woman who is unwell and has admitted to using drugs are doing so to settle old scores. They have no case against me, and they will eventually face justice,” the lawmaker said.
He dismissed claims that he had forcefully acquired land in his hometown, describing them as “false and unfortunate.” According to him, he was legally allocated a parcel of land after making a genuine offer of payment for the establishment of the University of Sports, which he said has since become a beneficial institution in his community.
“Anyone who seeks progress in our society is often attacked and torn down by their own people. That is the sad difference between us and other ethnic groups,” he added.
Addressing online allegations about Regina Daniels’ health, Nwoko alleged that his wife had a documented history of substance use prior to their marriage — claims he said were verifiable through medical records.
“Regina openly admitted to using drugs and being on bipolar medication. Her former schoolmates have also spoken publicly about her struggles. Yet, some people are manipulating her condition to damage my reputation,” he stated.
Nwoko insisted that if his wife had any genuine grievances, she would have voiced them, adding that “all the current stories being circulated are fabricated and amount to criminal defamation.”
On the controversy surrounding the timeline of his marriage to Daniels, the senator clarified that the actress was born on October 10, 2000, and got married to him at 19, not 17 as widely speculated.
“The public witnessed her family giving her out in marriage. Her mother personally brought her to me. Our customs and traditions do not frown upon polygamy. What I did was to marry her honourably, give her a name, and treat her with dignity,” he said.
