Ace Nigerian actress Rita Edochie has said the ongoing dispute within the family of late comic actor John “Mr Ibu” Okafor shows the dangers of polygamy. She argued that the practice has caused more harm than good in many African homes.

Rita warns against polygamy

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Edochie said she did not want any association with polygamy. She urged the public to see the Okafor family crisis as a warning for people in or considering polygamous marriages.

“I do not want to be numbered,” she wrote.

“Polygamy has done more harm than good, not just in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. We must call a spade a spade.

“The 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 jeopardised 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.”

Family dispute deepens

Edochie’s comments followed the growing public dispute within Mr Ibu’s family after the actor’s death.

Last week, his widow, Stella Okafor, appealed for public support. She said her family had no running water, had lived without electricity for two months and could not pay her children’s school fees. Her appeal raised more than N7 million in donations.

However, the actor’s third son, Somtochukwu Okafor, rejected her claims. He alleged that Stella sold several properties after Mr Ibu’s death. Actor Tenkobo also accused her of using the late actor’s legacy to seek donations.

The dispute grew after a woman claiming to be Mr Ibu’s first wife accused Stella of mismanaging family finances. She also alleged that Stella arranged the arrest of two relatives during the actor’s illness and sold family properties, including land in Enugu, reportedly worth N18 million and a house in Lagos, without consulting other relatives.

Rita, who is married to Tony Edochie, brother of veteran actor Pete Edochie, also criticised her nephew, Yul Edochie, after he married a second wife in 2022.