Polygamy does a lot of damage to families, Nollywood actress, Rita Edochie, has said, while referencing the ongoing property dispute in the family of late Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu.
Stella Maris, the widow of Mr Ibu, and his other children born out of wedlock have been making the news in relation to the sale of the late actor’s properties.
Reacting to the development, Rita Edochie in a post via Instagram argued that these complex family dynamics prove that polygamy does more harm than good.
The actor said that no matter how people sugar coat polygamy or paint it as a cultural success story it does not change the fact that it jeopardised the peace, unity and harmony of many families.
“I do not wish to be numbered…” she wrote, This is the major reason why polygamy has done more harm than good not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. We have to call a spade a spade. The late Mr Ibu didn’t do well at all!!!! No matter how we try to sweeten polygamy or make it a success story of culture, it still does not change the fact that it has been one of the biggest mistakes of marriage that has undermined the peace, unity and harmony of countless families.
“Every day i keep seeing more reasons to hate and loathe polygamy. I would never want that for my worst enemy. And yet again, life keeps providing fresh evidence that peace is always under threat where polygamy exists, and division is waiting patiently for its chance.
For generations, polygamy has been defended, but the painful outcome keep repeating themselves, rivalry, jealousy, unhealthy competition, bitterness, divided loyalties, inheritance dispute and prolonged family conflicts have become family stories in polygamous homes. And the pain comes when the proud polygamist is gone to the other side. Unfortunately.
“The situation now unfolding in Mr Ibu’s family has become yet another painful reminder of how difficult such family structure can become. Watching the public battles between family members over properties and other issues is heartbreaking. While every family has its unique circumstance, this serve as a serious warning to those who are currently in polygamous homes or are planning to build one tomorrow.”
