Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has weighed in on the ongoing drama surrounding the family of late actor Mr Ibu.
In a post on Instagram, she described the situation as another painful reminder that polygamy has caused more harm than good. She said the public disputes over property and other family matters are heartbreaking to watch.
“I DO NOT WANT TO BE NUMBERED…
HERE IS HER MAIN REASON
POLYGAMY HAS DONE MORE HARM THAN GOOD, NOT JUST IN NIGERIA BUT IN AFRICA AS A WHOLE.
WE MUST CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
LATE MR IBU DID NOT DO WELL AT ALL !!!!!!!!
NO MATTER HOW WE TRY TO SUGARCOAT POLYGAMY OR PAINT IT AS A CULTURAL SUCCESS STORY, IT STILL DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT IT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST MARITAL ERRORS THAT HAS JEOPARDIZED THE PEACE, UNITY, AND HARMONY OF COUNTLESS FAMILIES.
EVERY SINGLE DAY, I KEEP SEEING MORE REASONS TO DETEST AND DESPISE POLYGAMY. IT IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD EVER WISH ON MY WORST ENEMY. TIME AND AGAIN, LIFE KEEPS PRESENTING FRESH EVIDENCE THAT WHERE POLYGAMY EXISTS, PEACE IS CONSTANTLY UNDER THREAT, WHILE DIVISION PATIENTLY WAITS FOR ITS OPPORTUNITY.
POLYGAMY HAS BEEN DEFENDED FOR GENERATIONS, YET THE PAINFUL OUTCOMES CONTINUE TO REPEAT THEMSELVES: RIVALRY, JEALOUSY, UNHEALTHY COMPETITION, BITTERNESS, DIVIDED LOYALTIES, INHERITANCE DISPUTES, AND PROLONGED FAMILY CONFLICTS HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR STORIES IN MANY POLYGAMOUS HOMES.
THE PAINFUL ASPECT OF IT COMES WHEN THE PROUD POLYGAMIST IS GONE TO THE OTHER SIDE.
SADLY.
THE SITUATION CURRENTLY PLAYING OUT IN MR IBU’S FAMILY HAS BECOME ANOTHER PAINFUL REMINDER OF HOW DIFFICULT SUCH FAMILY STRUCTURES CAN BECOME. THE PUBLIC DISAGREEMENTS AMONG MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY OVER PROPERTY AND OTHER ISSUES ARE HEARTBREAKING TO WATCH. WHILE EVERY FAMILY HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS SHOULD SERVE AS A SERIOUS WARNING TO THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN POLYGAMOUS HOMES OR ARE PLANNING TO BUILD ONE TOMORROW.
IF CARE IS NOT TAKEN, TODAY’S CRISIS IN ANOTHER MAN’S FAMILY CAN EASILY BECOME TOMORROW’S REALITY IN YOURS.
IN SOME CASES, IT MAY EVEN BE WORSE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO SUGARCOAT THIS REALITY.
MARRIAGE WAS DESIGNED TO BE A UNION BUILT ON LOVE, COMMITMENT, TRUST, SACRIFICE, AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING.
EVEN MONOGAMY, INVOLVING JUST ONE MAN AND ONE WIFE, IS CHALLENGING ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN IN TODAY’S WORLD.
IF MAINTAINING PEACE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE REQUIRES PATIENCE, FORGIVENESS, AND CONSTANT EFFORT, HOW MUCH MORE DIFFICULT DOES IT BECOME WHEN MULTIPLE SPOUSES”
Last week, Stella and her children told influencer King Mitchy that they now fetch water from a well because their rent has not been paid. They also said their electricity was disconnected for two months and they depend on other people to charge their phones.
Mr Ibu’s son claimed the late actor left behind several properties, but alleged that Stella took everything. He said one house in Lagos was sold for N60 million, another Lagos property for more than N17 million, the Asaba property for N11 million, and that she also squandered over N66 million donated during Mr Ibu’s illness. The alleged first wife supported his claims, saying Stella sold an Enugu house for about N18 million. She also alleged that Stella and her group spent the burial funds, describing it as karma.
Stella denied the allegations in a follow-up interview with King Mitchy. She said she spoke with the other children before selling the village land and used the money for the funeral. She also said that throughout her marriage, Mr Ibu never told her he had been married before or that he had other children.
