By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Senator Ned Nwoko has reacted strongly to a drug test result post recently shared by his estranged wife, Regina Daniels insisting that temporary abstinence should not be confused with genuine sobriety.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, the lawmaker said a single negative drug test, taken at a time of one’s choosing, does not invalidate earlier professional findings nor erase the issues that led to intervention in the first place.
Daniels, a Nollywood actress and mother of two, posted a video on Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday showing what she said were negative results from a comprehensive drug test she voluntarily underwent abroad. She denied ever being a drug addict, describing the allegations as false and damaging to her reputation, and said the test was meant to reassure her family and fans.
The post sparked widespread reactions online, with many interpreting it as a rebuttal of earlier allegations made against her.
In response to the post, Nwoko stressed that temporary abstinence is not sobriety, noting that recovery and accountability are not achieved through social media posts or public displays, but through sustained effort, honesty and long-term engagement with professional support.
Nwoko in his statement , questioned the conditions under which the recent test was conducted, saying they remain unclear.
He contrasted it with what he described as earlier assessments carried out by two independent and reputable centres in Nigeria and South Africa, which, according to him, established findings of drug and alcohol use.
The senator described attempts to present a later negative result as proof that no prior use occurred as misleading and disingenuous, arguing that at best, it only reflects abstinence over a period of time and does not negate earlier medical reports.
He also criticised what he called efforts to downplay the seriousness of MDMA (commonly known as Molly), stating that regardless of how casually it is referenced or renamed, it remains a drug with real risks and consequences.
Addressing the wider context of the dispute, Nwoko said temporary abstinence does not address the underlying issues that brought the situation to its current state.
He maintained that healing is not episodic and accountability is not performative.
He disclosed that long before the matter became public, he had explored several avenues to provide support, including private rehabilitation aimed at structured and sustained therapy, rather than brief interventions, but said these efforts did not succeed.
Nwoko further referenced a court judgement which granted him custody of their children and dismissed what he described as unsubstantiated human rights abuse claims previously brought forward. According to him, the court ordered supervised therapy with evidence of compliance, a step he said was meant to help Regina maintain a meaningful relationship with her children.
He said the matter was handled discreetly at the time, without public drama, to allow space for genuine recovery.
“Temporary abstinence, does not erase the underlying challenges that brought this situation to light. Recovery and accountability are not matters for social media posts or public engagement, they require sustained effort, honesty, and a genuine engagement with professional support.
“The conditions under which this recent test was conducted remain unclear. In contrast, earlier findings of drugs and alcohol use were established through assessments conducted by two independent, reputable centres in Nigeria and South Africa. These reports were professionally compiled, formally documented, and will be presented and defended in court, and the centres involved will be subpoenaed to testify to their findings.
“Presenting a later negative result as proof that no prior use occurred is Misleading and disingenuous. At best, it reflects abstinence over a period of time. It does not invalidate earlier medical reports, nor does it negate what necessitated intervention in the first place.
“There has also been an attempt to dilute the seriousness of the substance refered to as MDMA (Molly), regardless of how casually it is referenced or repackaged in language, it is a drug. Renaming it does not alter its chemical composition, its risks, or its impact on judgment and stability.
“Moreover, temporary abstinence, whether for weeks or months, does not address the underlying issues that brought this situation to where it is today. Healing is not episodic, and accountability is not performative. Long before this matter became public, Senator Ned Nwoko explored every possible avenue to provide support, including private rehabilitation for structured, sustained therapy, not just brief one off, it failed.
“Denial is never a foundation for sustainable therapy. The first step is to own up to the existing problem. When the court gave judgement in favour of Senator Ned having custody, and dismissing all Unsubstantiated human rights abuse claims they brought forward last year, the court order stated that Regina should go for supervised therapy with evidence of same.
“We did not make it a time for public show. Senator Ned gave Regina a window to quietly seek the needed help, he acted discreetly, keeping matters out of the media while encouraging access to professional care so she could maintain a meaningful relationship with her children. It is therefore inaccurate to suggest consistent sobriety or to dismiss prior findings. A single test, taken at a time of one’s choosing, does not outweigh documented assessments conducted independently and professionally. If accountability is to be invoked, then it must acknowledge reality of a problem and willingness to address it, that’s accountability that can yield results. Genuine accountability requires confronting reality, and committing to long-term professional support, not a matter to be measured by social media engagements.
“True growth, stability, and accountability come from embracing the process quietly, consistently, and with integrity, the very approach Senator Ned has encouraged from the start.It is not time for drama. Any test conducted anywhere in the world will face court scrutiny and should be ready when subpoenaed, to defend results just like the Nigerian and South African labs.
“In any case, Court would for clarity, appoint a credible laboratory for verification of claims. It is time for reality supported by relevant, credible and admissible evidence,” the statement read thus.
The senator concluded by stating that any drug test conducted anywhere in the world would be subject to court scrutiny and must be ready to be defended if subpoenaed.
He added that the court may appoint a credible laboratory to independently verify all claims.
“It is time for reality supported by relevant, credible and admissible evidence,” Nwoko said, insisting that true growth and stability come from embracing long-term professional support with consistency and integrity,
not from public engagement.
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