Nollywood actor, producer, and politician Yul Edochie has claimed that his social media post announcing that he was married to a second woman and had a newborn boy was a ploy to get Nigerians' attention on social media.
On Wednesday, the actor announced on his verified Instagram account that his second wife, Judy Austin, a Nigerian actress, had given birth to a newborn boy, uploading images of himself and the child.
According to the Daily Trust, the tweet sparked a firestorm of criticism, with many denouncing him for becoming a polygamist.
"It's time for the world to meet my son," the star had wrote. Star Dike Munachimso Yul-Edochie is his name.
"My second wife, Judy Austin, gave birth to me." And I adore him, just as much as I adore my other kids (sic)."
May, Yul's first wife, commented on the page, "May God condemn you both."
In the midst of the uproar, the 40-year-old popular actor turned to Instagram to honour his 'first wife,' May Edochie, calling her "Number One" and "Undisputed."
Mr. Edochie returned to Instagram later on Thursday, posting a smiling photo of himself with the caption: "Real men own up and take responsibility." "Fake men hide behind their backs and run am."
However, in response to the post's ensuing criticism, Yul wrote in another post on his verified handle on Friday that he was merely "acting a movie" to see how people would react to it.
He claimed he pulled the hoax because Nigerians did not pay attention to his political ambitions as much as he had hoped when he stood for Governor of Anambra State in 2017.
On his birthday, January 7, this year, the movie actor, who earned 145 votes in the Anambra Governorship Election, also stated his ambition to run for president in 2023.
"So I fit break the Internet like this?" he wrote. So, on a single post, I can have over 60k comments?
"However, since uno hasn't sent me, I'm acting in a film and giving una Hollywood performances." Una, don't send me since you have the best voice.
"I ran for Governor, but no one voted for me. I'd like to run for President, but una has yet to send me.
"However, this one scatters the Internet." Finally, this one comes to make una send me. "Na waa for una oo," says the narrator.
Some of his fans expressed surprise that he uploaded it, while others stated that "we didn't send you" despite the development.
Given his family's history and his father's severe demeanour, Ebubedike Pete Edochie, some onlookers had predicted that Yul would submit so fast and start on a trip that would tarnish his family's name.
Others speculated that his father may have decoded the entire affair as another "Nollywood movie scenario" and that he hasn't reacted since the uproar.
According to analysts who claim to know Pete well, he raised his children and several others he trained in rigorous Catholic tradition, claiming that "only Satan with seven horns can distract people who grew up under his guidance from accepted norms.