“I Divorced Your Favourite”: Sonia Ighalo Fires Back at Trolls Over Her Split With Footballer Jude Ighalo

Sonia Ighalo, the ex-wife of Nigerian footballer Jude Ighalo, has set social media ablaze once again with a fiery and unapologetic response to those who constantly blame her for the end of her marriage. In a post that has since gone viral, Sonia did not hold back as she addressed the persistent narrative that her supposed bad behavior was the reason behind their divorce. Her message? Loud and clear: “Just to clarify, I DIVORCED your favourite.”

Sonia’s blunt statement, shared via her social media account under the handle @desuwa30, has ignited conversations across multiple platforms. Tired of hearing the phrase “that’s the reason your husband left you,” she took to her platform to correct what she described as a false and ignorant narrative that has followed her since her marriage ended. According to her, contrary to popular belief, it was not Jude Ighalo who left the marriage—it was she who filed for divorce, and the dissolution of their union was finalized in a London court on June 10, 2022.

Her comments were not just a clarification but also a scathing commentary on the societal habit of blaming women for failed marriages. “You’re all sick in that country,” she wrote, clearly referring to a segment of her Nigerian audience. Sonia went further to analyze what she believes is the root of the online vitriol she constantly receives. “I understand that some of you may have been raised in a challenging environment devoid of love and affection, but the fact that you are not dissipating the same energy to your parents who failed you is worrisome for me.”

That single paragraph has drawn both applause and outrage. Supporters hail her boldness and willingness to speak the truth, while critics accuse her of lacking tact and respect. But Sonia, known for her candid and often confrontational tone, has never been one to sugarcoat her words. Over the years, she has made headlines for her outspoken remarks regarding her marriage and motherhood, and this latest declaration has only cemented her reputation as someone unafraid to speak her truth—no matter how uncomfortable it may make others feel.

The phrase “I divorced your favourite” has now become a catchphrase on social media, with memes and hashtags flooding X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. It serves as both a clapback to her critics and a symbol of female autonomy in a culture where women are often expected to endure unfavorable marriages in silence. For Sonia, it appears that silence was never an option. Her words were precise: the divorce was legally carried out in the presence of Justice H. at the Family Court in London, making it crystal clear that this was not just a messy breakup—it was a formal, legal decision made on her terms.

This public clarification is not just about defending her name—it also shines a light on the broader issue of how Nigerian society often reacts to high-profile divorces. Women, particularly those who were married to celebrities or public figures, are frequently subjected to cruel stereotypes. Accusations of being too loud, too proud, too independent, or too disrespectful are levied without evidence. And the men, especially if they are popular athletes or entertainers, are often cast as the victims—noble, hardworking men who simply couldn’t cope with a difficult woman. Sonia’s post disrupts that narrative entirely.

While Jude Ighalo himself has remained silent in the wake of her latest post, this isn’t the first time their separation has been aired in public. Their marriage had already been the subject of public scrutiny, from social media shade to allegations of infidelity and neglect. However, never before had Sonia provided a specific date and location for the divorce proceedings. This level of detail seems to be a strategic move, aimed at silencing those who claim she’s still bitter or hung up on her ex.

Interestingly, the tone of her message ends with a simple “Shalom”—a Hebrew word meaning peace. Whether this was a sarcastic sign-off or a genuine wish for closure is unclear, but it adds a poetic twist to an otherwise blunt statement. It’s as if she is saying: “Here is the truth. Do with it what you will. But I’m moving on.”

Reactions to the post have been predictably polarized. Some users have taken to defending Sonia, noting how society often expects women to shrink themselves in marriages, even when they are unhappy or disrespected. Others have called her out for what they describe as unnecessary public shaming of her ex-husband. But whether people agree with her or not, the one thing that is undeniable is her ability to spark national conversation.

What Sonia Ighalo has done is more than just respond to gossip—she has challenged the cultural tendency to always place blame on women when marriages fail. Her post forces people to rethink their assumptions and opens up a dialogue on autonomy, respect, and the dangers of one-sided storytelling. In a society where image often trumps reality, Sonia has chosen to prioritize truth over reputation.

As the dust settles from this latest social media storm, one thing is for certain: Sonia Ighalo is not going to let public opinion define her. Her words may be sharp, but they are rooted in a firm sense of self-worth and a refusal to be gaslighted by a society that still struggles to accept women as decision-makers in their own lives.

“Just to clarify, I divorced your favourite”—seven words that have shaken up the internet, dismantled long-standing assumptions, and given one woman the final say in her own story. Whether the world chooses to believe her or not, Sonia has spoken. Loudly. Clearly. And unapologetically.