Ebonyi Governor’s Father Who Married 30 Wives, 108 Children Emerges King

Chief Ezekiel Nwifuru Nwankpu, the father of Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru is the new traditional ruler of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The traditional ruler is said to have married 30 wives, although some who were unable to bear children eventually left.

Currently, he lives with 17 wives and has fathered 108 children.

The newly crowned king is a respected farmer and patriarch. Among his children, 21 have graduated from higher institutions, including Governor Francis Nwifuru, who is one of the children from his fourth wife.

The traditional ruler’s coronation has drawn attention to his unique family structure and his contributions to the community through farming and education.

Ezeogo Nwankpu is superintending over 17 villages after being decorated as the Chibugo 1 of Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community caved out from Agbaja community in Izzi Local Government Area the governor.

The governor presented a certificate and staff of office to his father, Ezeogo Nwankpu, noting that it was done in line with the law establishing Ebonyi State Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Cap 146.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Nwifuru went into memory lane on how the family suffered dejection, intimidation and molestation in the hands of the villagers.

He said they killed his uncle in the village square, and later forcefully acquired their land.

According to him, the land in question is now the primary schools where the father’s coronation took place – Oferekpe Agbaja Primary School II.

He described his father as a hard-working man, noting that he got married to 30 wives, but some of them left because they could not bear any child in the family.