In recent weeks, social media has been abuzz with talk about actress Regina Daniels and her billionaire husband, Ned Nwoko, a marriage once admired but now embroiled in controversy and online scrutiny.
Many have criticised the union because of the wide age gap between Regina Daniels and her husband, Ned Nwoko.
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Yet, beyond the age difference, debates have also lingered over whether she married him before turning 18, a question that continues to stir mixed opinions even among the couple.
But not every age-gap love story ends in drama. Former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole’s marriage to a young lawyer from the island nation of Cape Verde, Lara Fortes, tells a different tale.
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Like Regina and Ned’s union, Mr Oshiomhole’s marriage also sparked plenty of conversation, especially about the age difference.
When Adams Oshiomhole married Iara Fortes on May 15, 2015, he was 63 years old, while she was reportedly in her early thirties. The pairing drew public attention at the time, but unlike many similar stories, theirs has remained largely free of controversy ever since.
When Love Found Oshiomhole Again
Mr Oshiomhole had lost his first wife, Clara, in 2010 after a long battle with cancer. Their marriage had produced children and was widely admired.
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For years, the widower appeared devoted to public service and family life, showing no signs of remarriage, until Iara appeared.
The couple tied the knot in a modest but star-studded ceremony at the governor’s country home in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The guest list read like a who’s who of Nigerian politics, from then-President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to Vice President-elect Yemi Osinbajo, Aisha Buhari, Dame Patience Jonathan, governors, ministers, and captains of industry.
The photos told a story of joy and elegance; Mr Oshiomhole beaming in a beige suit beside his stunning bride in white lace. But beyond the glitz, what drew attention was the mystery surrounding his younger bride. Who could this lady be?
Who Is Iara Fortes?
Their union stirred up rumours about the identity of the woman who captured the heart of the fiery then-Edo State governor. Some claimed she was a model from Ethiopia or the Philippines. Others suggested she was from Europe.
But Oshiomhole cleared the air himself, explaining shortly after the wedding that his wife was from Cape Verde and a lawyer, not a model as many had speculated. He described her as “a humble and understanding woman who accepted me with all my flaws.”
Indeed, humility seemed to be her strongest charm. Those who attended the ceremony described Iara as having quiet, graceful, and respectful qualities, which Oshiomhole’s mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole, said made her the perfect fit.
His mum revealed in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES at the time that she had encouraged her son to marry outside Nigeria, to avoid the endless quarrels, jealousy, and interference that sometimes come with local family politics.
A Decade
Ten years on, Iara and Adams Oshiomhole’s marriage has remained mostly away from the public eye. Their rare public appearances have sparked rumours of separation over the years, but the couple recently put those rumours to rest.
In July 2025, they were seen together in Edo State in an Instagram video showing Oshiomhole supporting market women. Before that, their last major outing was in September 2021, when they attended the service of songs for Edo billionaire Capt. Hosa Okunbo in London.
READ ALSO: NUPENG attacks Oshiomhole, says he’s Judas Iscariot
There have been no scandals, no dramatic interviews, and no social media drama —a sharp contrast to the noisy breakups that often follow many celebrity and political marriages.
Love stories like Adams and Iara’s remind us that while public perception often predicts doom for marriages between older men and younger women, reality doesn’t always follow the script.
Age gaps, politics, and fame may complicate relationships, but they don’t dictate their fate.
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