For years, Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has remained one of Nigeria’s most controversial public figures. He has been criticised for his family choices, dragged online over his political views, and constantly at the centre of heated social media debates. But in his latest appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast, the actor pulled back the curtain like never before.
From his marriage to May Edochie and his decision to embrace polygamy, to the heartbreaking loss of his son, support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his views on spirituality, Yul addressed the controversies, criticism, and pain that have followed him in recent years. Here are the biggest moments from the conversation.
Yul Edochie Speaks on May Edochie, Polygamy & Why He Refuses to “Play Victim”
Released on May 25, 2026, the interview saw Yul directly address the public scrutiny surrounding his marriage to May Edochie and his controversial decision to embrace polygamy.
While refusing to reveal private details about their separation, the actor repeatedly insisted that “nobody is perfect” and said he had no interest in publicly dragging his ex-wife despite years of online criticism directed at him.
“I don’t mind being the villain,” he said during the conversation, explaining that trying to please everyone can cause people to lose focus or make the wrong decisions. According to him, public opinion has never been enough reason to abandon what he believes in.
At another point, Yul made it clear that he would never publicly shame May or discuss deeply personal details about their relationship.
“I’m a man… I go set camera now begin finish my ex-wife? No… I wish her the very best,” he said. “That’s the mother of my children.”
The actor also pushed back against claims that he wants to stop May’s growth or success, describing such accusations as “nonsense.” According to him, both of them understand the full story behind their situation, even if the public does not.
Reflecting on how young they were when they met, Yul revealed that he and May first crossed paths at a GCE examination centre before later reconnecting as university students. He also argued that social media has changed how young people approach relationships and maturity today compared to his generation.
Yul Edochie Defends His Relationship With His Children
Another major part of the interview focused on Yul’s relationship with his children and the criticism he has faced online regarding fatherhood.
The actor described his bond with his children as “beautiful” and noted that he remains especially close to his daughter, Danielle, despite the public assumptions surrounding his family life. He also made it clear that he would never speak negatively about any of his children, regardless of differing opinions or tensions caused by the family’s very public situation.
Speaking about his 21-year-old daughter, Yul admitted that she currently sees certain issues more from her mother’s perspective, but said he does not blame her for it. According to him, maturity and life experience often change people’s understanding with time. Drawing comparisons to his own relationship with his father years ago, he explained that there were things he once failed to understand as a young man but later appreciated as he got older.
44-year-old Yul also pushed back strongly against claims that he has abandoned his responsibilities as a parent. During the interview, he displayed proof of recent financial support he sent to one of his sons in university after the boy discussed plans for a trip to China.
“Last week I sent money to my son, the one in university,” he said while showing the transaction date on his phone.
The actor argued that netizens expect celebrities to constantly broadcast private family responsibilities online, something he refuses to do.
“What social media people want is if I send this thing… you come carry your whole family matter bring outside,” he said. “If I have to set camera all the time to answer everything when they talk, I go lose focus… most important thing is what I have to do as a father.”
Yul Edochie Opens Up About the Painful Loss of His Son
One of the most emotional moments in the interview came when Yul reflected on the devastating loss of his son in 2023. The movie star described the tragedy as one of the hardest experiences of his life.
Recalling their final conversation before the incident, the actor said they had joked about his son’s height that morning before he left for school. According to Yul, just hours later, he received the call that changed everything. In his words:
“… that was my first son. We saw that morning and talked. He was going to school, he came into my room, we talked and I was telling him about his height cuz he was quite tall. I think he was almost taller than me at that time we joked about it. He told me he was the tallest in… no one other boy was taller than him, just one person. We talked and laughed and then he left. 2, 3 hours after, they called me. I came to the hospital and I saw him.”
Although visibly reflective during the discussion, Yul admitted that it remains a painful memory he does not like revisiting publicly.
“It’s not an experience that I love to remember,” he said. “But wetin you go do?”
The actor explained that the tragedy changed his perspective on life, fame, and material possessions. According to him, the loss made him realise that things people value, like wealth, success, and status are temporary.
“We really don’t own anything,” he said, adding that life itself can change without warning.
Yul also revealed that he handled his grief privately rather than publicly displaying his pain online. He said he spent time praying, reflecting, and trying to remain mentally strong for himself and his remaining children.
At another point in the conversation, the actor shared his controversial views on masculinity and grief, insisting that men must continue moving forward regardless of pain.
“A man, no matter what happens to you, you go soldier on,” he said. “Pity doesn’t work for men.”
While acknowledging that different people grieve in different ways, Yul maintained that he personally does not believe in seeking public sympathy as a man, even during moments of profound personal loss.
Yul Edochie Speaks on Nollywood Success, Fame & Why Awards Don’t Define Him
Away from the personal conversations, Yul also reflected on his Nollywood journey, fame, and why he refuses to let public validation define his career.
The actor revealed that he entered the movie industry in 2005 after studying Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt, explaining that he took acting seriously long before fame arrived. According to him, part of his growth came from carefully studying legendary actors like Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs, Ramsey Nouah, and Richard Mofe-Damijo.
Yul also pushed back against the long-standing assumption that his career was built solely on his father’s fame. He recalled traveling by night bus between Enugu and Lagos for auditions in his early days, insisting that hard work, not privilege shaped his journey in Nollywood.
At another point in the interview, the actor acknowledged that he has remained one of Nigeria’s most talked-about celebrities in recent years, largely due to controversies surrounding his personal life. However, he maintained that public criticism has never changed his sense of identity. According to Yul, trying to constantly please people online can cause individuals to lose themselves, which is why he has become comfortable with being misunderstood by the public.
The conversation later shifted to the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, where Yul admitted he has never been nominated for an award. Despite that, he insisted he holds no bitterness toward the organisers or actors who have won over the years.
“I’m not bothered,” he said, explaining that his value as an actor comes from his body of work and the audience that has supported him globally for years. He also argued that some of his performances remain memorable regardless of award recognition, adding that his focus remains on creating impactful films rather than chasing trophies or industry approval.
Why Yul Edochie Says He Still Supports Tinubu
During the interview, Yul also addressed his continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It’s no news that his position has drawn criticism from many Nigerians online.
According to the actor, his support for Tinubu began in 2023, long before the popular “City Boy” political slogan gained momentum across social media. He insisted that his political stance was never influenced by trends or public pressure, but by personal conviction. Yul described himself as a deeply spiritual person and claimed that faith has always guided many of his major decisions, including the leaders he chooses to support.
“God has always shown me who to support,” he said during the conversation, maintaining that his political choices are rooted in belief rather than public opinion.
The actor also rejected claims that his support for the president is tied to personal gain or political benefits. According to him, if his loyalty was purely transactional, he would have distanced himself during periods of backlash and criticism. At another point, Yul described Tinubu as a “dogged” politician who understands how to pursue goals and remain focused under pressure. While acknowledging the country’s economic struggles, he argued that the president is trying his best and needs more time for reforms to fully take effect.
He further stressed that politics should not be treated like war, adding that people should be able to support different candidates without hatred or personal attacks. Despite the criticism he has received online, Yul maintained that he remains firm in his political beliefs.
Yul Edochie Explains His Views on Traditional Religion and Spirituality
Another conversation that stood out during the interview was Yul’s discussion about spirituality, African traditional religion, and why he believes many people misunderstand indigenous beliefs.
According to the actor, his spiritual journey has led him to the belief that Christianity and African traditional worship are not necessarily opposites. Yul argued that both can ultimately serve as different ways of connecting with the same God. He also strongly rejected the common association between traditional religion and “juju” or harmful rituals involving human sacrifice. According to him, authentic traditional worship condemns evil acts and places heavy emphasis on living with clean intentions.
“Traditional worship forbids taking human life,” he explained while discussing the misconceptions surrounding African spirituality.
At another point, Yul compared ancestors in African tradition to saints in other religions, describing them as people who once lived and can still serve as spiritual guides or points of connection. The actor further revealed that he relies heavily on dreams, intuition, and spiritual revelations when making decisions in his life. He described himself as deeply spiritual and claimed that God consistently communicates with him through signs and personal conviction.
Yul also argued that many Africans have been conditioned to fear their indigenous beliefs because of colonial-era influences and religious teachings that portrayed traditional practices as evil. According to him, a lot of people have been “brainwashed” into rejecting their cultural spirituality without fully understanding it, adding that reconnecting with African traditions should not automatically be viewed as something dark or dangerous.
Personal Stories, Family Legacy & Other Moments From the Interview
Beyond the major controversies and emotional conversations, Yul also shared personal stories about his upbringing, family, and journey into Nollywood.
The actor revealed that he was named after a famous Russian-American actor admired by his father, Pete Edochie, particularly for his role in The King and I. According to Yul, his father’s deep love for the arts played a major role in shaping the creative environment he grew up in.
Speaking about his childhood, Yul described Pete Edochie as a very strict but caring father who strongly believed in discipline. He admitted that growing up under such firm parenting was difficult at the time, especially because his father did not hesitate to punish wrongdoing.
However, the actor said his perspective changed with age, explaining that he now appreciates the discipline because it helped shape his character and prepared him for life.
The conversation also touched briefly on his relationship with his brother, Linc Edochie, who joined Nollywood one year before him. Yul acknowledged that comparisons naturally came because of their famous surname and family background, but insisted that he has never allowed those comparisons to distract him from building his own identity in the industry.
Why Yul Edochie’s Interview Is Sparking Reactions Online
Since the episode was released, clips from Yul’s appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast have continued to spread across social media, triggering intense debate among Nigerians.
While some viewers praised the actor for speaking openly about grief, fatherhood, fame, and public criticism, others strongly disagreed with several of his opinions especially his comments on polygamy, masculinity, politics, and traditional religion.
His remarks about men not seeking pity after painful experiences also generated divided reactions online, with some people describing his perspective as emotionally tough, while others argued that it reflected harmful expectations placed on men.
Yul’s continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also reignited political conversations online, particularly among Nigerians frustrated with the country’s economic situation.
At the same time, many listeners noted that the interview revealed a more reflective and vulnerable side of the actor beneath the controversy that has followed him in recent years.
Whether people agreed with him or not, the 2-hour conversation once again proved that Yul Edochie remains one of Nigeria’s most discussed and polarising public figures.
Conclusion
Love him or disagree with him, Yul Edochie used the interview to present his side of the story in a way the public rarely gets to see. Across conversations about family, grief, fatherhood, politics, fame, and spirituality, the actor appeared determined to show that beyond the headlines and social media outrage is a man still trying to live life on his own terms.
