Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has revealed that his father married 30 wives because he was lonely and needed companionship at the time.

Nwifuru, who was speaking at the coronation of his father Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, said his father was once humiliated by his relatives in his neighborhood and the entire community because he was excelling above his peers in the farming business.

This led him to marry many wives for companionship and helping hands in pursuit of his dreams as a wealthy farmer.

He described his father as a hospitable man who loves his wives, children, relatives, and neighbors, adding that currently, 25 out of his children have become graduates.

“My father is a loving father and husband who takes care of all his children and wives.

“All his wives and children work hard to educate themselves, which is why we have 25 graduates in my family who struggled to obtain an education with the help of their mothers.”

The governor advised his father as he ascended the royal stool to be generous with his subjects, ensuring peace and unity in the community.

He charged his father to be just in discharging his duties as a traditional ruler without being vindictive, but to reign with God’s direction and motivation.

Chief Nwankpu was made the traditional ruler of the Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community in the Izzi Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Ezeogo Nwifuru Nwankpu married 30 wives before those who could not bear children left the marriage.

There are now 17 wives currently living with Ezeogo Nwankpu Nwifuru.

The traditional ruler, who is a well-known farmer, fathered a total of 108 children from the 17 wives, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, who is from the fourth wife.

Out of the 108 children, 21 are graduates who were single-handedly trained in institutions of higher learning by their mothers, the governor included.