Ebonyi Governor’s father, with 19 wives and 108 children, becomes traditional ruler

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

Known for his prosperous farming career, Ezeogo Nwankpu married 19 wives, though 17 wives remain, with whom he has 108 children, including the governor, who was born to his fourth wife.

Notably, 25 of Ezeogo Nwankpu’s children, supported by their mothers’ efforts, have graduated from higher institutions.

At the coronation, Governor Nwifuru highlighted his father’s resilience despite past mistreatment by the community, which included the forceful seizure of their land, now the site of the coronation ceremony. The governor explained that his father married many wives for companionship and support in his farming business.

As the new ruler of 17 villages, Ezeogo Nwankpu was urged by the governor to foster peace, unity, and fairness among his subjects.