‘Late Mr Ibu Did Not Handle Things Well’ — Rita Edochie Speaks On Family Crisis

Nollywood actress, Rita Edochie, has claimed that the ongoing property tussle between the family of late Nollywood actor, Mr Ibu, demonstrates the great harm polygamy does to families.

It was reported that Mr Ibu’s widow, Stella Maris, and his other children fathered out of wedlock, have been in the news over 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 causes 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 countless families.

She wrote, “I do not wish to be numbered… This is the main reason polygamy has done more harm than good not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. We have to call things as they are. Old Mr Ibu did not 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 innumerable families.

“Every single day, i keep seeing more reasons to hate and loathe polygamy. I would never want it for my worst enemy. Time after time, life continues to offer new proof that peace is always under threat where polygamy exists, while 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 on the other side. Unfortunately.

“The situation now playing out in Mr Ibu’s family has become yet another painful reminder of how difficult such family structure can become. The public fights between family members over properties and other issues are heartbreaking to watch. Each family is unique but this is a serious warning to those who are currently in polygamous homes or are going to build one tomorrow.”