Popular Nollywood actress Rita Edochie has weighed in on the lingering family dispute surrounding the estate of late comic actor John Okafor, widely known as Mr Ibu, describing the situation as a painful consequence of polygamy.
The veteran actress shared her thoughts in a post on her Instagram page, where she argued that the public disagreements among members of the late actor's family reinforce her long-held belief that polygamy often creates more problems than it solves.
According to Edochie, the challenges currently unfolding after Mr Ibu's death should serve as a lesson for people already in polygamous marriages and those considering such family arrangements.
She maintained that despite cultural acceptance in some societies, polygamy has continued to breed rivalry, bitterness, divided loyalty and inheritance disputes across many African homes.
"Polygamy has done more harm than good, not just in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole. We must call a spade a spade. Late Mr Ibu did not do well at all."
The actress further stated that her dislike for polygamy has only grown stronger over the years because of the conflicts she believes it leaves behind.
"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 have jeopardised the peace, unity and harmony of countless families."
Edochie noted that the real consequences of polygamy often become more evident after the death of the family patriarch, when disputes over inheritance, property and control of family assets begin to surface.
Referring directly to the situation involving Mr Ibu's family, she expressed sadness that the disagreements had become a public spectacle.
"The situation currently playing out in Mr Ibu's family has become another painful reminder of how difficult such family structures can become.
"The public disagreements among members of his family over property and other issues are heartbreaking to watch.
"While every family has its own unique circumstances, this should serve as a serious warning to those who are currently in polygamous homes or are planning to build one tomorrow."
She added that many people often assume such conflicts only happen to other families until they eventually experience similar situations themselves.
Edochie also argued that maintaining peace in a monogamous marriage is already challenging enough, insisting that adding multiple spouses only increases the likelihood of misunderstandings, competition and prolonged family disputes.
Her comments come amid renewed controversy involving Mr Ibu's widow, Stella Maris Okafor, and some members of the late actor's family over the management of his properties and finances.
In a recent interview with influencer King Mitchy, Stella and her children spoke about the hardship they have allegedly faced since the actor's death. She claimed they had struggled financially, revealing that she had been unable to pay rent, their electricity had remained disconnected for months, and the family now depended on water fetched from a well.
However, the claims were met with strong opposition from one of Mr Ibu's sons, who accused Stella of taking control of the late actor's assets and disposing of several properties without accountability.
According to him, she allegedly sold one of Mr Ibu's Lagos houses for N60 million, another Lagos property for more than N17 million, and a property in Asaba for N11 million. He also accused her of mismanaging over N66 million reportedly donated by well-wishers during the actor's prolonged illness.
Adding to the controversy, a woman identified as Mr Ibu's alleged first wife accused Stella of selling another house located in Enugu after the actor's death. She further alleged that funds realised following Mr Ibu's burial were not properly accounted for.
Stella has, however, denied all the allegations levelled against her.
In a follow-up interview with King Mitchy, she insisted that she consulted Mr Ibu's other children before selling a property in the village. According to her, the proceeds from the sale were used solely to finance the late actor's burial.
She also disclosed that throughout her marriage to Mr Ibu, the late actor never informed her that he had previously been married or had children with other women, a revelation she suggested added to the complexities now confronting the family.
The dispute continues to generate reactions on social media, with many Nigerians divided over the allegations, while others have used the situation to reignite conversations about inheritance, family structures and the long-term impact of polygamy.