A man married twenty-four wives

Chief Nnaji why did you marry twenty-four wives?" Jonah asked. Nnaji is a man of affluence and he doesn't take advice from anybody. He thinks and acts anything that comes out of his mind.

"Do you really have to ask me this? Anyways I still would share with you the reason I married twenty-four wives. Now, sit down on the sofa. Would you mind having a drink with me?" Nnaji asked.

"No, thanks. But water would be okay for now," replied Jonah. "I observed you have many children, how many are
they now?"Jonah asked. "Haba, are you really sure you want water or are you thirsty for answers which I know are not necessary?" chief Nnaji said frowning.

Jonah remained mute for some minutes. "Thanks for the water!" Jonah thanked. "You're very welcome. That's if you won't ask rigorous questions here," chief Nnaji said. "Really?" Jonah chipped in. "Chief Nnaji, you have twenty-four wives and two hundred children including grand children. But the world have eyes and the wind hears. Chief do you have a reason for marrying twenty-four wives?" said Jonah.

"Yes, you are right, you have eyes and ears. I'm a proudly polygamist. I value my family. I have a reason, here is my reason," Chief Nnaji began. "When I married my first wife Ada, she annoyed me all the time. She never gave me a second of warmth. It was like I was going to spend my entire life in a burning furnace. My first wife was such a nag," he nodded in regret and continued. I couldn't help leaving her for my mistress, Ujunwa. Ujunwa showed me love and care and with her I found rest," he said.

Then one fateful or should I call it one glorious day, I was with Ujunwa in her one-room sitter apartment when she handed a paper to me, it was the pregnancy test she had run earlier that day. "The doctor said I am six weeks pregnant," feeling glamorous, with her face lite up in excitement. No doubt my countenance changed though I was proud because I was going to be a father. After five years of wedlock, my wife had given me nothing but troubles instead of children," he paused. Shortly, he had a wild breath and continued.

I retained the apartment and was taking full responsibility of the rent, including her up-keep. I shouldered the responsibility. Though, to foot the bill of a pregnant woman is not an easy task. That is why I keep saying that marriage is not for boys, marriage is for men," said chief Nnaji. Ujunwa gave birth to a baby boy and I brought her to my house to assume the position of a second wife. Guess what! The real fire began. It was like a drum of fuel was poured to the existing fire.

Ada and Ujunwa were living like cat and dog. I began to stay out late. They never bothered my keeping late nights and sleeping outside at times. I got another female friend who encouraged me to keep a mistress for myself with that she would be making me feel happy. I gave heed to her advice," he said.

Subsequently I was doing that. Before I knew what was happening in my life, I have already married five wives. I don't know if I should blame money, because if I had no money, if I weren't rich I wouldn't have indulged in such a polygamist life. How I got married till it counted twenty-four was what I myself found it difficult to explain.

"Chief is still a boy not a man. But his mind is telling him that his act is justified," Jonah soliloquised.
See also "African man"

See related posts—"A short story collection"



What do you think? Do you think it's right for a man to marry more than one wife? Does marrying many wives confirm you're responsible?

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