Nollywood actress Esther Nwachukwu who claims to have had a romantic relationship with late actor Junior Odonwodo, popularly known as Junior Pope has given insights into his marital challenges.
In a recent interview, Nwachukwu alleged that Pope confided in her about his marital troubles before his untimely death on April 10, 2024.
The disclosure came amidst criticism directed at Pope’s wife by Nwachukwu, who argued that the widow should have observed a longer mourning period.
According to Nwachukwu, societal norms would suggest a mourning period of six months to a year, instead of attending social events shortly after her husband’s death.
Nwachukwu told Saturday Beats, “When Junior Pope was alive, the wife never gave him peace. She disturbed him a lot. I actually dated Junior Pope, and I still have his name tattooed on my body. While we were together (dating), he told me how his wife used to disturb him. But, one thing about him is that he likes to trend. He would be going through a lot, but would still come on social media to post (pictures and videos of) his family. From December 2023, he stopped posting (pictures of) his wife like before. That was when they started having issues. Sometimes, he wouldn’t sleep in his house, but would rather stay in hotels.
“I am sure some people who were close to him knew about it. But, because he had painted himself as a good husband online, he did not know how to tell people about his issues. That was why he died in silence.”
Doubling down on her criticism of Pope’s wife, Nwachukwu said, “A grieving wife wouldn’t have come out barely two months after the death of her husband. She came out and acted like all was well, and because many Nigerians like eye service, she decided to dress in black, so people would think she was mourning. A young widow is not supposed to just go about her business like that. We all know she isn’t hungry, because there is money. Nigerians are good at sympathising with people, and I know they must have helped her in so many ways.”
Nwachukwu also criticised Davido for allegedly disrespecting his child, Imade’s mother, Sophia Momodu, stressing the importance of resolving family issues before entering a new marriage.
She said, “He has been disrespectful to Sophia all this while. I believe that before any man gets married, he should settle all pending issues, and make peace with going into marriage with another woman.
“He shouldn’t disrespect the mother of his child for any reason, because he is indirectly disrespecting the child in the process. Davido is making the daughter see herself as an unwanted child. Behind closed doors, some people would insult Imade, saying that her father did not want her mother.”