Abuja, NIGERIA — Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has shared a deeply personal account of the challenges his father, Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, faced in his hometown, Agbaja Unuphu village, which he believes led his father to marry 30 wives. The revelation was made during the coronation of his father as the traditional ruler of the newly created Oferekpe Agbaja autonomous community, a position that holds deep cultural significance.
Governor Nwifuru explained that the envy and hostility his father encountered from members of the community, especially following his rise to prominence as a successful farmer, were major factors that influenced his father’s decision to marry multiple wives. The governor highlighted that his father’s wealth and success were met with resentment and humiliation from the villagers, who felt threatened by his newfound status. These circumstances, Nwifuru suggested, played a significant role in his father’s decision to expand his family in what could be seen as a response to societal pressures.
Ezekiel Nwankpu, who is said to have initially married over 30 women, had to later delist some of them from his family due to the absence of children. As of now, Nwankpu has 17 wives and 108 children, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, who is one of the 21 siblings born to his father. Despite the large number of wives and children, the family is noted for its unity, and 21 of Nwankpu’s children have achieved the academic distinction of becoming university graduates.
The coronation ceremony of Ezekiel Nwankpu as the traditional ruler of the Oferekpe Agbaja community was a significant event, attended by several prominent figures in the state, including former governors Sam Egwu, Martin Elechi, and David Umahi, along with other influential state stakeholders. The creation of the Oferekpe Agbaja autonomous community, which was established earlier this year through a law passed by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, marks a major milestone in the political and cultural development of the region. The community, carved out of the larger Agbaja community, consists of 17 villages.
During the ceremony, Governor Nwifuru praised his father for his exceptional hospitality and generosity, noting that he was beloved not only by his wives and children but also by his relatives and the broader community. He emphasized the values of love and togetherness that his father had instilled within the family and the larger society.
“My father’s decision to marry many wives was influenced by the intimidation and humiliation he endured from villagers in his quest for greatness,” the governor stated, shedding light on the unique challenges his father faced throughout his life. He also mentioned how his father’s hardworking nature, particularly as a farmer, led him to unexpected prosperity, which in turn provoked envy from others.
In his speech, Governor Nwifuru advised his father to use his new position of traditional leadership not for personal vengeance, but as an opportunity to promote peace, equity, and justice. He urged Nwankpu to avoid using his status to retaliate against those who had wronged him in the past, emphasizing the need for forgiveness and reconciliation in his role as a leader.
“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, calling on his father to set an example for the community by focusing on service and promoting social harmony.
The coronation ceremony concluded on a hopeful note, with the community looking forward to a future of peace, progress, and unity under the leadership of the newly crowned traditional ruler.
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