Comedian Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba, has explained why he supports polygamy, saying it helps maintain balance in relationships.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Nedu Wazobia, the 60-year-old said some women behave better when they know their husbands have other wives.
“Some people feel if it’s only one wife, you may not be able to control the wife. But if the wife knows that you have more than one, she will calm down because she knows that if she misbehaves, another person is available,” he said.
Alibaba, who has been married to Mary Akpobome for over 15 years, added that in the past, some women encouraged their husbands to take more wives to prevent them from keeping mistresses.
“So there are different reasons for polygamy. I actually know of a woman in Ibadan who encouraged her husband to be a polygamist. Most of them back then marry a young girl and gift her to the husband because they don’t want the man to have concubines,” he added.
According to him, polygamy also served as a form of family support when a man died and his brother had to take care of his wife and children.
“You have families where when the brother that married the woman dies, and she has just two children, they call all the brothers and say which of you can take over this girl and take care of her. If the man already had a wife, that’s the cause of polygamy,” he explained.
Alibaba is regarded as one of Nigeria’s pioneering stand-up comedians and has been active in the industry for over three decades.
