Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, wife of a billionaire senator, has come under criticism for sharing a video in support of the protests against bad governance and hunger.
On the first day of the protest, the actress had urged Nigerians to demonstrate peacefully and avoid violence. However, she faced backlash from netizens who felt she was not in a position to offer such advice. One commenter suggested she speak to her husband, Senator Ned, whom they accused of contributing to the bad governance. Another pointed out that her choice to marry an older man was her bold step, and now it was time for the youth to make their own stand.
On the second day of the protest, Regina posted a video criticizing the government for failing to distribute resources effectively to the poor. This time, she received mixed reactions. Some accused her of protesting from a position of privilege and urged her to join the demonstrations in person if she genuinely wanted to support the cause. Others appreciated her for speaking out despite her husband’s political position.
In the video, Regina also addressed the armed forces, urging them to refrain from attacking the protesters, emphasizing everyone’s right to express their opinions and demand better governance.
She said “It is day 2 of the national protest in Nigeria, everyone is frustrated nationwide with justified reasons and something needs to be done to ease the hearts of the people to avoid further loss of lives and properties. Nigeria is not a one-man land hence it’s not one-man’s problem.
Nigeria can only be fixed by only the collective efforts of everyone in the government ranging from the president, governors, senators, house of reps members, house of assembly members down to local government chairmen and councillors. What happens when the federal government understands the plights of the people and the state or local government does not? Or vice-versa? The job still remains undone, leaving thousands hungry, suffering and jobless. The hike in prices of food, water, electricity, transportation, security and communication is alarming, there is hunger in the land, Nigeria cannot be fixed by having half bad eggs and half good eggs, all the lawmakers need to be in sync with the people’s plights to fix Nigeria, only then can what is rightfully allocated to the grassroots get to them. This should be a government for the people, not against them.
Our armed forces, please refrain from using excessive force on the people as everyone has the right to air their voices and demand for transparency, accountability and participation to avoid further loss of lives and properties by our own people.
Aggrieved fans rushed to the Instagram video to vent their anger on the actress, read comments below:
- Mss_neerah_kadiri: “E be like this girl don dey mad.”
- liciagreat: “See this one too dey speak English abeg Gina don’t anger me dis afternoon.”
- World_goodluck: “You no even fit stand advise us, na that sit down pain me pass….. small Gina come get sense pass president .”
- Jennifer__smith10: “If no be hunger u for Marry old man? Mtchewww.”
- Ifykings.kiddies.thrift: “No be your fault, as your husband the follow share national cake, na him make you open your mouth to say everybody is suffering.”
In a twist of events, some of the fans were pleased with Regina’s efforts in speaking out.
- switb2b: “She is also speaking up, why bash her for speaking up. If celebrities are quite we will complain now that she is also supporting the protest you’re still bashing her in the name of her husband. This lady is not hungry and she can never be but if she is lending voice that’s because she understands the pain of the people. Stop bullying her if me and you were in her shoes we won’t even say a word so please rest.
- dk_young600: “She is on the poor masses side you guys should take it easy on her abeg.”