In recent times, a grave injustice is unfolding on social media, where Yinka Theisen is relentlessly cyberbullying May Edochie. May found herself at the centre of an emotional whirlwind after refusing to partake in a polygamous marriage with Yul Edochie and Judy Austin. Her courageous decision to walk away from a marriage that sought to impose polygamy on her is being met with rampant abuse and ridicule by most African traditionalists, revealing the immense pressure placed on women to conform to outdated cultural demands. Yinka Theisen has unfortunately become one of the leading voices cyberbullying and harassing May Edochie for refusing to conform to these outdated norms.

This issue reverberates beyond the confines of May's personal circumstances; it strikes at the very fabric of societal expectations in many traditional African settings. Historically, women in such societies are expected to endure maltreatment, infidelity, emotional harm and abuse without raising their voices. May Edochie's decision to uphold her dignity and reject imposed polygamy has set a transformative precedent, challenging long-held patriarchal norms that have always constrained women’s rights. 

Yinka Thiessen, disgruntled by May's autonomy, has resorted to cyberbullying, even dragging May's children and family into her vendetta. Yinka has used derogatory language toward May, employing culturally loaded insults commonly wielded to shame divorced women in Nigerian society. Concerns have further deepened as Yinka encouraged further harassment by circulating May’s personal details online calling for her harassment, mocking her for not conforming to traditional notions of an “ideal African wife.” Refusing to be considerate of the fact that May was recovering from a deep personal tragedy, after losing her first son during the height of the public dispute surrounding imposed polygamy.

May Edochie, by contrast, has maintained her dignity throughout this ordeal and has never issued public insults in response. She pursued an appropriate legal avenue by serving a cease-and-desist notice on 19/08/2025—an action met with mockery rather than compliance, with Yinka relying on the complications of cross-jurisdictional enforcement. Online bullying is a clear violation of human dignity and must not be tolerated. Such conduct threatens the emotional well-being of May and her family and stands in stark opposition to the principles of respect, fairness, and equality that should guide all online interactions.

Equally concerning is that Yinka has extended her attacks to her former fiancé, Lincoln, after he officially supported May’s right to reject polygamy. She has directed significant vitriol at him, including disclosing sensitive information about his health record, his family’s health, and other personal struggles. She has publicly made disparaging remarks about his intimate capabilities, made insinuations about his sexuality, inappropriate remarks about his child with special needs, and unverified claims about other family members, including accusing his ex-wife of promiscuity and addiction to cannabis. Lincoln has stated that their engagement ended due to her vendetta against May and her dissemination of May’s private phone number, which contributed to her further harassment directed at May.

Additionally, she has made derogatory statements about Igbo women on her Facebook account, raising concerns about tribal bias, particularly in the context of longstanding cultural tensions between Yoruba and Igbo communities.

What is particularly alarming is that these acts of harassment originate from an individual who is an American citizen and by profession, a nurse, a mental-health practitioner—roles that demand the highest levels of empathy, confidentiality, and ethical conduct. Given the gravity and breadth of these actions, the Minnesota Board of Nursing has a professional and moral responsibility to safeguard public trust by examining conduct that may reflect adversely on the nursing profession. Should Yinka feel genuinely aggrieved, the appropriate avenue—as befitting a trained professional—would be through legal or formal channels, not through public harassment of individuals who have made no retaliatory statements against her.

We therefore call upon Facebook, other relevant platforms, and professional regulatory bodies to take decisive action. The continuing cyberbullying directed at May Edochie—and the reported harassment of others—must be addressed promptly and firmly, not only for May’s sake but for all women who dare to assert their rights in the face of entrenched cultural resistance.

Join us in demanding accountability and protection. Sign this petition urging Facebook and relevant authorities to enforce their policies against online harassment and safeguard women like May Edochie from being vilified for exercising their autonomy.