Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon, widely known as Deyemi the Actor, has joined the ongoing conversation around sexual violence and online backlash, declaring that calls to end rape should not be met with deflection or counterarguments.

The actor shared his position on X while reposting a recent statement by singer Simi, who had earlier addressed criticism over resurfaced tweets from 2012.

Simi recently came under fire after stating that almost every woman she knows has experienced sexual assault at some point in their lives. While many supported her assertion, others challenged it, and as the debate intensified, some social media users unearthed old tweets she posted more than a decade ago.

In response, the singer defended herself, explaining that the posts were made when she was 23 years old and assisting her mother in running a daycare. She insisted that her comments were innocent, taken out of context, and not reflective of any wrongdoing. Reaffirming her stance, she stated, “I said stop raping women. I stand by it.”

Weighing in on the broader conversation, Okanlawon wrote:

“When women say ‘STOP rap*ng women’…

Your response cannot be ‘what abt men/children’ neither can it be ‘what abt false accusers’ nor anything else.

Your reply MUST only be YES!!!

You can start your own separate conversation abt anything else at another time/place.”

His remarks underscore what many observers describe as frustration over “whataboutism” — the practice of redirecting conversations about violence against women to other issues, thereby diluting the original message.

The intervention comes amid heightened public discourse on sexual violence within Nigeria’s media space, fuelled by recent allegations and counter-allegations that have dominated online discussions.

Okanlawon, 44, is regarded as one of Nollywood’s leading men. Since launching his screen career in the early 2010s, he has featured in several acclaimed productions, including Omo Ghetto: The Saga, King of Boys, and Blood Sisters.

His latest comments appear to reinforce Simi’s position, stressing that advocacy against rape should be met with unequivocal support rather than diversion.