Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru has said his father, Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu married over 30 wives because of the intimidation and humiliation he suffered in his community. Nwankpu got married to over 30 wives but some of them were delisted because they could not bear any child in the family, leaving 19 of them.
However, only 17 of them. are currently with him with 108 children. 21 of the children including Governor Nwifuru are graduates. The governor said his father got rich unannounced through his hard work as a notable farmer, which made members of his Agbaja community to envy him, intimidate him, and humiliate him.
Nwifuru stated this at the weekend during the coronation of his father as the traditional ruler of the newly created Oferekpe Agbaja autonomous community. The community which has 17 villages, was created this year through the law passed by the state House of Assembly. It was carved from Agbaja community.
The coronation attracted former governors of the state, Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi and David Umahi as well as other stakeholders of the state. Addressing the mammoth crowd, Nwifuru, described his father as a hard-working man. He noted that his father was humiliated by his relatives, neighborhoods, and the entire community as he was excelling above his equals.
This, according to the governor, earned his father loneliness till he began to marry wives, to be his companions and helping hands in pursuit of his dreams. He further described his father as a hospitable man who loves his wives, children, relatives, and neighbors, adding that currently, 21 out of his children have become graduates.
“My father’s decision to marry many wives was influenced by the intimidation and humiliation he endured from villagers in his quest for greatness,” he said
He urged his father to use his position to foster peace, equity, and justice within the community and never to use the position to revolt against those who might have erred him in the past.
“Do not use this revered position to seek revenge or perpetuate injustice. Rather, let it be a symbol of unity, fairness, and service to humanity,” the Governor advised.
