Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has opened up about her mother’s efforts to prevent her marriage to Senator Ned Nwoko, claiming she was held back for seven years.

In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram on Wednesday morning, Daniels dismissed claims that she was forced into marriage at a young age, revealing that her family—including her mother—opposed her union with the 64-year-old lawmaker.

The actress, who recently spoke out about alleged domestic violence in her marriage, admitted that she regrets falling in love with Nwoko. She also urged Nigerians to stop blaming her mother and refuted suggestions that her marriage was financially motivated.

“For seven years my mum held me down. She tried, but I’m the one that has a coconut head. I’m ashamed to say I fell in love, but I actually did, and it’s crazy. Everyone said no. You all should stop saying that I married out of greed. We were not broke,” Daniels said.

She added that her mother and brother had warned her against the marriage and revealed a dark moment when she considered harming herself:

“What amount of money can a man give to a mother to get her child that is practically providing everything in the house? I was her only source of livelihood. I drove out at night one day trying to kill myself if I don’t marry Ned.”