“The Name Has Come to Stay!” — Rita Edochie Fires Back at Critics Over May Yul-Edochie’s Surname Decision

Veteran Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has stirred a fresh round of conversation online as she boldly defends May Yul-Edochie’s decision to keep her marital surname despite the high-profile collapse of her marriage to actor Yul Edochie. The family drama, which has played out publicly in the past couple of years, gained new life after some online users criticized May for still answering “Yul-Edochie” post-divorce. But in classic Rita Edochie fashion, she didn’t hold back — and neither did the internet.

Taking to her Instagram page, the outspoken actress posted a fierce response to the trolls questioning May’s use of the name “Yul-Edochie,” making it crystal clear that the name isn’t going anywhere. “HER NAME REMAINS QUEEN MAY YUL EDOCHIE EVEN AFTER THE DIVORCE BECAUSE YOU DID NOT GIVE HER THE NAME. THE NAME HAS COME TO STAY,” Rita wrote, unapologetically. And that wasn’t all. She added a searing jab to critics: “WHY THIS SO MUCH HATE ON SOMEONE THAT DOESN’T KNOW YOU EXIST?” — an honest question that has since gone viral.

Rita Edochie, who has long voiced support for May throughout the messy saga involving Yul’s controversial marriage to actress Judy Austin, has now reignited the fire around a woman’s right to keep her ex-husband’s name. May, a popular brand ambassador and social media influencer with over 1.2 million followers, continues to use the name “May Yul-Edochie” across all her public platforms, including her Instagram bio — a decision that has divided public opinion.

On one side are supporters who argue that the name is her brand and identity, something she has built over years of dedication, motherhood, and public presence. On the other are critics, many of whom claim it’s “disrespectful” or “unnecessary” to hold on to a name associated with a man who publicly humiliated her by marrying a second wife.

But Rita isn’t having any of that. “NDIALA NDIALA EVERYWHERE,” she wrote in frustration, a strong Igbo expression that loosely translates to “madness everywhere.” The message? The energy being spent on attacking May for her name choice is not just ridiculous, but irrational. For Rita, May’s decision is more than symbolic — it’s a statement of strength, resilience, and dignity.

May herself has remained mostly silent on the name issue, preferring to let her consistent use of the surname do the talking. With brand deals, campaigns, and a loyal fan base all tied to the “Yul-Edochie” name, many argue it would be financially unwise to abandon it now. In a world where public image is currency, a name isn’t just a name — it’s a business, a legacy, and a platform.

Still, social media hasn’t stopped buzzing. From heated Instagram debates to Facebook comment wars, the question of whether May should still bear her ex-husband’s name has sparked countless threads. Some say it’s time she dropped it and fully embraced a new chapter. Others argue that doing so would erase years of effort, not to mention the fact that she bore the name honorably and made it shine far brighter than the man himself ever did.

Adding salt to the online fire is the fact that May and Yul’s separation remains a topic of interest. The once-envied couple saw their union shatter when Yul shocked fans by introducing Judy Austin as his second wife, unveiling a child from the union, and gradually shifting his public loyalty. The betrayal hit Nigerians like a storm, and many rallied behind May, praising her composure and strength even as her family was seemingly torn apart in front of the world.

In this light, May’s retention of the Yul-Edochie name is not just about identity; it’s about reclaiming the narrative. If Yul could publicly start a new family while still bearing the Edochie legacy, why can’t May do the same with the name she helped build?

Rita Edochie’s post, now making rounds across gossip blogs and entertainment outlets, ends with a signature clapback that has fans applauding: “TRANSFORMER HOTERS SLEEP WELL OO00, BECAUSE THE NAME HAS COME TO STAY.” The message, though humorous in tone, carries serious weight. Women should not be pressured into shedding parts of their identity to make others more comfortable — especially not after surviving emotional trauma.

For many, Rita is the mouthpiece saying what May may not want to say out loud. In Nigerian society, where women are often expected to quietly step back and “move on” after a divorce, May’s decision to hold on to her name is viewed by some as revolutionary. And in a climate where names carry power, especially in the entertainment world, her stance is not just personal — it’s political.

The backlash against May also exposes a deeper cultural issue: the way society polices divorced women. While men often remarry, rebuild, and rebrand with little judgment, women like May face endless scrutiny. Rita’s outburst, though emotional, holds up a mirror to the double standard. Why should a woman be shamed for maintaining a name she earned through years of marriage and motherhood, especially when the man in question has moved on without consequence?

As the drama continues to unfold, one thing is clear — May Yul-Edochie isn’t backing down, and neither is Rita Edochie. The name is not just a label. It’s a declaration. A badge. A battle scar turned symbol of strength. And as Rita has loudly declared, it has come to stay.

So whether critics like it or not, they’ll have to get used to seeing “Queen May Yul-Edochie” across social platforms, campaign posters, and perhaps, in the near future, her own independent empire. Because sometimes, keeping a name isn’t about the man — it’s about the legacy a woman builds for herself in spite of him.