December 15, (THEWILL) – The people of Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State have accused their state governor, Francis Nwifuru, of imposing his father, Chief Ezekiel Nwankpuare, as their king without following due process.
This past week, Nwifuru flexed his executive powers when without due consultation and due recourse to the state house of assembly, created a new autonomous community, Oferekpe Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area of the state, out of thin air and installed his father, as the king of the new community.
Known for his prosperous farming career, Chief Nwankpu married 19 wives, though 17 wives remain, with whom he has 108 children, including the governor, who was born by his fourth wife.
Notably, 25 of Chief Nwankpu’s children, supported by their mothers’ efforts, have graduated from higher institutions.
At the coronation, Nwifuru highlighted his father’s resilience despite past mistreatment by the community, which included the forceful seizure of their land, now the site of the coronation ceremony. The governor explained that his father married many wives for companionship and support in his farming business.
As the new ruler of 17 villages, Ezeogo Nwankpu was urged by the governor to foster peace, unity, and fairness among his subjects. No doubt, it is no mean feat to have as many wives and children to match.
Only very few Nigerians surpass the new monarch. And one of them was Mohammed Bello Abubakar, a Muslim cleric who had 130 wives and 203 children prior to his passing in 2017.
Ivory Ukonu is a versatile journalist with many years of experience, with entertainment and society reporting as her area of core competence.
