Olu Of Warri’s Wife Opens Up On Husband’s Stand Against Polygamy

Ivie Atuwatse III, wife of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has said her husband would not change his position on polygamy, insisting that she does not expect him to take another wife.

Ivie made the remarks during a recent interview with BBC News Pidgin, where she spoke about her marriage to the traditional ruler, the demands of his position and the challenges of sharing him with his numerous responsibilities.

Asked if she would accept another wife if the Olu changed his previously stated position on polygamy, Ivie dismissed the possibility, expressing confidence that her husband would remain opposed to the practice.

“Firstly, His Majesty no go fit change him mind about polygamy. Make we just settle that one for there,” she said.

She added that she considered herself more than enough for her husband, saying, “Me alone, one me, I be like three women, so I dey alright for am.”

Ivie also spoke about what she enjoys about being married to the monarch, saying she takes pride in watching people celebrate his personality, achievements and abilities.

“The thing wey I like about being married to His Majesty is that, all the fame or the popularity wey him get, na say I get to see the world celebrate his genius, his swag also, cos me too I dey celebrate am,” she said.

According to her, seeing people appreciate her husband’s qualities gives her additional joy and makes her proud of him.

“And when the world dey celebrate am, e dey ginger me more. I dey extremely proud of am as a human being, and to see that they also appreciate am dey give me much joy,” she added.

However, Ivie acknowledged that being married to a traditional ruler comes with challenges, particularly when it comes to spending time together.

“But on the other side, dem say food wey dey sweet sometimes flies dey like to chop from am,” she said.

“Sometimes e dey busy and it can be hard to want to share my husband with all the many different duties that he has, and so that can be equally difficult.”

She said the couple was learning to adjust to the demands of the Olu’s traditional and public responsibilities.

“And so, we are learning to navigate it because sometimes I just want him to myself,” she added.