Senator Ned Nwoko has debunked viral social media claims suggesting that a young lady seen with him in a trending video is his “new wife.”
The rumours, which spread rapidly across multiple platforms, emerged amid speculation surrounding his marriage to actress Regina Daniels.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the Delta North lawmaker described the reports as false, mischievous, and malicious, warning that those behind them could face legal consequences.
“It is mischievous and malicious for anyone to exploit such gestures to fabricate false narratives. Let me state clearly that I do not have any form of personal or private connection with her,” he stated.
According to Senator Nwoko, the woman in question had visited him with her team as part of the Peace Ambassadors Initiative, a non-political group led by Ambassador Dr. Adejo Sule.
He clarified that their meeting was entirely official and that photographs and videos taken during the visit were customary for all his public engagements.
“She came alongside her team under the Peace Ambassadors Initiative,” Nwoko explained.
“Pictures taken during such meetings are part of normal practice when I meet guests or attend events.”
The senator condemned those who deliberately twist innocent interactions into damaging rumours for social media engagement, describing such behaviour as reckless and harmful to public trust.
Moreover, he cautioned bloggers and online users spreading the falsehood to desist immediately, reminding them that Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act (2015) provides strict penalties for online defamation and misinformation.
“Such falsehoods can attract legal consequences under the Cybercrime Act,” Nwoko warned, adding that the ease of access to social media does not justify the misuse of information.
The viral video, which circulated on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), showed the senator posing with the young woman and her entourage during their courtesy visit.
However, many users on social media misinterpreted the clip, claiming the lady was his new bride.
Meanwhile, online reactions have continued to pour in, with many Nigerians joking about how “even taking a selfie with Ned Nwoko can spark marriage rumours.”
Others, however, have criticized the growing trend of misinformation and digital sensationalism.
