Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has spoken out amid the ongoing online debate about rape and social media backlash. The actor made it clear that when women say “stop raping women”, the only acceptable response is agreement.
Deyemi shared his thoughts on X after reposting a recent statement by singer Simi, who had been facing criticism over some old tweets.
The issue began after Simi said that almost every woman she knows has experienced sexual assault at some point in their lives. Her statement sparked intense reactions online. As the conversation grew, some users went back to posts she made in 2012.
Those resurfaced tweets led to further criticism, with some people questioning her position. In response, Simi defended herself. She said her old posts were being misunderstood and taken out of context.
She explained that the tweets were written in 2012 when she was 23 years old and helping her mother run a daycare. According to her, nothing she wrote was inappropriate or perverse.
Simi also made her stance clear again, saying: “I said stop raping women. I stand by it.”
Deyemi’s reaction appeared to support that position. By speaking up, he reinforced the view that calls to end rape should not be distracted by deflection or what some describe as “whataboutism.”
Deyemi Okanlawon, 44, is one of Nollywood’s well-known leading actors. He began his screen career in the early 2010s and has featured in major productions such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga, King of Boys, and Blood Sisters.
Deyemi Okanlawon’s comments add another voice to the wider discussion about sexual assault and online accountability. His message is simple and direct. When women call for rape to stop, the response should not be debate or distraction, but agreement.
As conversations around sexual violence continue online, public figures are likely to keep weighing in, shaping how the issue is discussed in the public space.
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