The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has caused a stir on social media after presenting a certificate of recognition and a staff of office to his father, Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwamkpu.
TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the new monarch, which the Governor noted, was in accordance with the Law establishing Ebonyi State Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Cap 146, with the charge also to ensure that peace and unity reigned in his domain.
The Governor lamented the ill-treatment, which he said the people of the community meted out to his father in the early stages of his life, which according to him, led the monarch into polygamy.
Nwamkpu is a polygamist with 19 wives and 108 children.
Governor Nwifuru said, “if I continue to tell you the level of humiliation my father suffered in the hands of my people, everybody here will cry. Even this primary school that we chose as the venue of this event, was our farm land, but they took it away from us and chased my father away from his farm, for doing nothing.
“It even got to a point my father stopped us associating with any member of this community. It was this condition that actually led him into marrying many wives, for him to get many children.“
The governor’s action has sparked mixed reactions amongst Nigerians on social media.
sal_mendoz wrote: “I’m sorry. Any man that marries 19 wives in this recent day and age cannot be a good or responsible person. I have nothing against polygamy but 19 wives? I wonder why the community stopped associating with him.”
maxwell50202 wrote: “Polygamy is good before but this generation of us can’t work because of hardship.”
lolo_starrr wrote:” Using public office to settle scores and personal vendetta? That’s a new one. Or maybe not. Cos many monarch’s installed post colonialism were simply awarded the titles in reward for their treachery to their fellow kinfolk. We will be alright las las.”
pablo_de_oracle wrote: “He really needed to be the governor o chai. No he can help his sibling.”
digi_versed wrote: “Condition led him to having 19 wives and 108 children. Una never talk true.”